Rare treat for pupils

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THE SK Assunta (2) Petaling Jaya Parents Teachers Association, gave the schoolgirls a rare treat recently, where they met sports legends like Zaiton Othman, Saik Oik Cum and Kenny Martin. Sport clinics were also held afterwards for badminton, futsal, hockey and netball.

In his opening speech, SK Assunta (2) PIBG chairman, Muhammad Zarif Abdullah Menon hoped the 2011 Gerak Tangkas Sports Programme, would inspire students to participate more in sports and achieve success in their endeavours.

Former National Sportswoman of the Year Zaiton Othman was the main speaker at the event. She spoke passionately on how her antics as a girl who outran all the dogs in her village in Kepala Batas, Penang led her to a rewarding career in sports.

To the laughter of the audience, the darling of heptathlon shared how jumping over drains built her muscles for the long and high jump and how the act of spearing her neighbours’ mangoes contributed to her strength in javelin throw.

Go for su ccess: Zaiton (centre) leading the cheer with SK Assunta (2) Petaling Jaya students.

She also narrated how the act of flattening rubber sheets in rollers gave her more power to throw the shot putt.

Zaiton encouraged the girls to stay active and participate in as many sporting activities in school from primary level.

“Somewhere along the way, ask yourself whether you are truly passionate about sports and if yes, which is the one you are best at, then go for it. The thrill of competing, the joys of winning and even the challenges during defeat in sports are immensely rewarding to one’s self-confidence,” said the current National Sports Council (MSN) athletics affairs director. She also reminded the girls to aim for an academic-sports balance and highlighted how current world squash champion, Nicol David achieved both with dedication and discipline.

Making time for the sports clinic was national women’s futsal coach Chew Chun Yong, Selangor netball coach Norzila Yusoff, hockey veterans Chitra Arumugam and Jarjit Singh as well as MSSM badminton champions and coaches Boo Kuo Tan and Teh Elaine.

SK Assunta PIBG organised the event with the school’s co-curriculum unit supported by SportsUnite executive chairman Datuk Dina Rizal and Nestle-Milo sports marketing manager Ng Ping Loong, SK Assunta (2) principal Ho Swee Ping, organising chairman T. Indran and school teachers.