FAMILY: Building talent and unity

What say you on the issue below?

The Milo Play More Learn More Camp 2011 closes with two final camps in Kajang and Kampung Medan in Selangor

Kampung Medan football players

For many school athletes, their most influential mentors are their sports coaches. Coaches don’t just drum in them sports skills but also confidence, leadership and teamwork — the necessary life skills for them to grow up to be successful people. Here, coaches share their experiences on coaching and the passion that keeps them going.

In Taman Kajang Raya, Kajang, Selangor

-SUE TECK HUA
57, Basketball coach and teacher,
SMK Engku Husain, Semenyih

How do we encourage more kids to play sports?
Parents play a big role. Some parents focus solely on academic excellence and discourage their children to be involved in sports, although there are changes now. I see parents who understand the value of sports in making their children better in their studies, and help them become well-rounded individuals.

You have been coaching for decades. What motivates you?
Seeing children adopt more positive values after their involvement in sports. They learn respect, punctuality, honesty, interaction with peers and leadership. The best experience is seeing a player improvehis skills from zero to representing the state or the country. It’s gratifying.

-NORAISAH SULAIMAN
30, Netball coach and teacher,
SK Seksyen 7, Bandar Baru Bangi

What are the benefits of sports to children?
Outdoor activities help fill children’s leisure time. Studying alone won’t make them sharp and attentive. In my experience, the students I coach are also good in class. Sports is a great stress reliever.

How do you get students to play sports?
By explaining its importance, that it’s not enough just to score good grades, you also need to be well-rounded and active to secure a place in a fully residential school, for example. I tell them that sports is good for health and develops social skills too.

-NOR AZMI AHMAD
29, Football coach and teacher,
SK Leftenan Adnan, Sungai Ramal, Kajang

What are the values children learn from sports?
Sports isn’t just about playing a game. They learn teamwork, cooperation and patience Ñ you can’t get angry in the game or play rough.

Is it hard to convince parents to allow their children to play sports?
It was hard, but things are slowly changing . Especially when the school’s football team is doing well. Most parents now realise the importance of sports for their children.


In Kampung Medan

-AZLAN MAHAT
43, Football coach for Medan Junior FC

From your past experience, how has sports benefited a child’s development?
Through sports activities and programmes such as the Milo sports camp, children get the opportunity to boost their social skills. It also allows minor football teams to be exposed to a different level of competitiveness as they will be competing against other teams who could have more experience than them.

What are the benefits of having a sports carnival in the area?
It is very beneficial, especially since it is being held in a low cost housing area with a large number of residents. Children living in this area love sports but they do not have the opportunity to pursue their interests due to the lack of activities and infrastructure in this area.

-NOR FAIDZAH ALI ISKANDAR SHAH
43, Netball coach for Medan 32 FC and Medan Junior FC Teams

How did your teams fare in the carnival?
Although most of the players are young and new to the game, they really showed that they have what it takes to compete and did not have any problems facing more experienced teams.

What are the benefits of holding a sports carnival for the children?

The sports carnival really helps them to increase their confidence and also fosters closer relationships among the races. Unfortunately, some parents are reluctant to let their children get involved in sports as they are worried that their studies would be affected. Sadly, they don’t realise that a sports carnivals such as this allows the children to exchange ideas with other teams.