Let school sports be the bridge to foster national unity

PETALING JAYA: Opening up the district and national level School Sports Council competitions to students from private, international and religious schools will help foster national unity among younger Malaysians, says an educationist group.

Lauding the move, the United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) president Tan Tai Kim said it will also help uncover more talents in various sporting events.“I think it is a good initiative for all schools under Malaysia’s multi-stream educational system.

“Each school can field and showcase its best at these sporting venues, letting students learn from each other and improve themselves.

“We can also uncover more sports talents with more school participation. This is certainly a good move,” he said yesterday.

Tan said such an effort should be supported.

“Sports has the power to unite people regardless of colour or background.

“It can help promote understanding, harmony and unity among the younger generation,” he added.

When contacted, a physical education and sports teacher at an international school in Shah Alam said the District Schools Sports Council (MSSD) and National Schools Sports Council (MSSM) events have been open to all students, including those at private and independent schools registered with the Education Ministry.

However, he said it has not been the norm to see many participants due to some requirements for the school to liaise with the relevant State Sports Council (MSSN) and also the payment of contributions.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said students who are interested are also on their own even if they can take part.

“From training, transport, logistic arrangement and expenses, the student has to manage on his own, with probably some help from the teacher and school, and his parents.

“With little support, not many are keen to take part in these events,” he said.

When asked, he said the opening up paves the way for better social integration among students, especially when the diverse Malaysian fabric has seen more threats from extreme ideologies in recent decades.

“Sportsmanship includes behaviour in line with social norms, such as showing respect and maintaining self-control, an understanding and commitment to fair play, ethical behaviour and integrity, and general goodwill towards an opponent.

“If students are exposed to these values through more sporting events at the school, district and national levels, they will become better citizens,” he said.