The Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) will continue to carry out programmes to scout for sports talents among the Orang Asli community.
Rural Development Deputy Minister Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the Orang Asli could change their livelihoods for the better by excelling in sports, not just in education.
He was speaking at the National-level Orang Asli Sports Carnival held at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in Kuantan, Pahang last night.
“Holding a sports carnival like this is a platform for the Orang Asli to show their sports talent and to get seriously involved in sports so that they can represent the state or country at prestigious tournaments.
“The Orang Asli have the strength and stamina... it is a loss if we do not polish their talents because they have the potential to become world-class athletes,” he said.
Also present were Pahang Rural Development and Orang Asli Affairs Committee chairperson Abd Aziz Mat Kiram and Jakoa director-general Sapiah Mohd Nor.
Abdul Rahman said the Orang Asli should make national athletes from their community as models and sources of encouragement for them to excel in sports.
He was referring to to Norashikin Sayed, a sailing athlete who won a silver medal at the 2010 Asian Games in China and cricketers Zumika and Sasha Azmi who helped the national team win a bronze medal in the T20 event at the 2017 SEA Games.
The two-day sports carnival, which started on Friday (Sept 9), involved 535 participants in four events: football, sepak takraw, netball, and squash.
At the event, the Pahang contingent emerged as the overall champion.
- Bernama
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