A shot in the arm for cricket
By Y.P.SIVAM
1 feb.2010 monday
THE Malaysian Malays Cricket Association (MMCA) have set up a centre of excellence in Kuala Langat.
And, retired school teacher Jacob Mathew has been appointed coordinator of the training programme that involves three schools.
MMCA vice-president Datuk Mir Shahariman Mir Shaharuddin launched the centre of excellence at SK Bandar Banting recently.
“We are pleased to initiate the training programme for primary schools in Kuala Langat. We had initiated a programme in SK Lanang in 1999, and we are proud to say that many pupils from that programme have graduated to the national age- group squads.
“Now we have included two more schools — SK Bandar Banting and SK Bukit Changgang — and the pupils from the three schools will get together for weekly training sessions.
Blunder!: A junior misses his shot during a training session.
“The teachers will also conduct regular training sessions in their schools,” Mir Shahariman said after handing over cricket equipment to the schools.
Kuala Langat District Education Department officer Abdul Talib Hamid said they appreciated MMCA’s contribution, which would certainly be helpful.
“With the guidance of Jacob, we will be able to groom more young players,” Abdul Talib said. “With his vast experience, he will be able to guide the teachers involved in the programme.”
The teachers involved in the programme are Norhaizan Sadiman, who is also the Selangor Schools Sports Council (MSSS) cricket technical chairman, Zakari Hardan and Mohd Fitri Aziz Sahlan.
Jacob said the teachers were dedicated and had shown keen interest in the development of cricket in Kuala Langat.
“We have to rely on schools to promote cricket. Kuala Langat has been the training ground for many of the current national juniors. Most of them were pupils at SK Lanang when the programme was launched about 10 years ago,” Jacob said.
The players who have benefited from the development programme are A. Suhan Kumar, who is the now national captain, Lokman Maszalan, Fazli Darus. Hazim Norhaniza, Rafi Zulkifli, Shahir Abdul Kadir and Hazim Norhaizan. Lokman is a member of the National Under-19 squad while Fazli is in the Under-17 team.
Over to you: SK Bandar Banting headmaster Kanalul Azam Muhammad (left) receiving the equipment from Abdul Talib (right) as Mathew and Mir Shahariman look on.
Jacob said they were keen to see more players from Kuala Langat earning their stripes.
“The players will also get the opportunity to train under a coach from
“The MMCA are making arrangements for the coach. By then, we expect the children to have learnt the basics,” said Jacob.
The MMCA have set up 15 centres of excellence throughout the country.
In the northern region, Sarath Jayawardana is the coordinator while two coaches — SM Mortuza Rasha and Sujeewa Gunaratne — are responsible for the centres in the central region.
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