THE Federal government has launched a series of initiatives aimed at encouraging greater participation in sports, nurturing young talent, and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who officiated the upgrading of the badminton hall at SMJK Union in Scotland Road, highlighted badminton as one of the core sports that has contributed significantly to the international stage.
She stressed the importance of continuing to cultivate talent by keeping badminton courts active and encouraging youth participation.
“Schools are not just centres for academic learning but also vital spaces where teamwork, discipline, and resilience are fostered through sports.
“Today’s children spend more time online and achieve things individually. Through sports like playing doubles in badminton, they learn to work together.
“For instance, just look at our national athletes like Pearly Tan, Thinaah, Izzuddin and Sze Fei. Sports in Malaysia are truly multiracial, and we must continue to promote this unity,” she said.
In addition, Yeoh said efforts are being made to safeguard the welfare of athletes.
“Our ministry has introduced the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and SOCSO contributions for athletes and has formally amended policies to recognise wushu and taekwondo as official sports,” she added.
Yeoh pointed out that tax incentives are also in place to encourage sports participation.
“Under a policy introduced in 2024, taxpayers can claim up to RM1,000 in deductions for sports-related expenses, such as equipment and training for children.
“The initiative is aimed at easing financial burdens while promoting active lifestyles among students and families,” she said.
Yeoh also emphasised a wider participation in school competitions as the ministry now encourages private and international schools to take part in Malaysian School Sports Council (MSSM) and District Schools Sports Council (MSSD) events.
Besides that, Yeoh announced that the number of gazetted sports in the country has increased from 51 to 103, which is a remarkable move for providing more opportunities for talent development.
“We must now encourage preventive care through regular exercise and sports training,” she said.
SMJK Union’s board of governors chairman Tan Sri Ong Gim Huat expressed his appreciation to Yeoh for officiating the launch of the newly renovated badminton court.
“We aim to provide better facilities to promote sports and instil the habits to ensure both intellectual growth and overall well-being of the students,” he said.
School principal Lim Lee Eng said the school is committed to producing students who excel both academically and in co-curricular activities, noting that sports help foster discipline and teamwork.
Also present was Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abd Rashid.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad