Metro

Monday November 9, 2009

Fakhruddin receives grant from firm for the last time

By NG WEI LOON


CYCLIST Mohd Fakhruddin Daud was the oldest beneficiary as SportExcel handed over their annual financial grants to deserving junior athletes at a presentation ceremony held at Royal Selangor Club (RSC) in Bukit Kiara on Tuesday.

The 18-year-old, who is the son of former cycling great Daud Ibrahim, was also the sole junior representative from cycling to earn the aid from the local junior sports development foundation this season.

Third year in a row: Cyclist Fakhruddin (second right) receiving the financial grant from Tunku Imran (second left) while Astro sports business content management group assistant vice-president Venu Ramadass (left) and SportExcel board of governors member Paul Chuah Seong Phaik look on.

As he will be bidding farewell to the SportExcel junior meets, the emerging talent is preparing for a long competitive career in sprint events.

Currently, Fakhruddin is a full-time trainee under the National Sports Council (NSC) programme.

Fakhruddin admitted the SportExcel circuit was a great training ground for him to stamp his mark at junior level.

The former Bandar Penawar Sports School (BPSS) student clinched six gold medals from the SportExcel track championships as well as adding another two gold and five silver medals in the road races last year.

“I have fond memories accomplishing respectable results in the circuit. But, it is time to step up to another level and attempt to make the grade at international level.

“I fancy my chances in doing well in the track events,” said Fakhruddin, who has also earned the financial grant for the past two years.

This year, SportExcel allocated almost RM47,000 to 33 athletes aged between 10 and 18 from nine sports under their junior development programme.

Among the eight other sports were bowling, cricket, squash, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, golf, swimming and tennis.

Since introducing the programme in 1992, they have been presenting financial assistance to 222 young athletes.

Despite the financial difficulties, SportExcel chairman Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar reiterated that they were committed to nurturing budding athletes and offering them the opportunity to achieve excellence in sports.

This year, they are suffering from a major setback with several charter members pulling out from supporting their cause.

“We are disappointed with the reasons given for their withdrawal.

“It is a distressing trend that they are doing Malaysian sports a grave injustice.

“But, we are hoping to convince other companies especially the public-listed corporations to come on board and invest in our vision as part of their corporate social responsibility.

“Sports should be a platform to unite all Malaysians,” said Tunku Imran, adding that a charter member pledges an annual sponsorship of RM15,000 for three years.

THE RECIPIENTS

- Golf: Mohammad Hisham Abdul Majid, Gavin Kyle Green, Chan Tuck Soon, Jeremiah Kim Leun Kwang, Kelly Tan Guat Chen, Low Khai Jei (RM1,500); Chang Ervin and Galven Kendall Green (RM1,000)

- Bowling: Natasha Mohamed Roslan, Mohd Azlan Norani, Muhammad Firdaus Idris, Muhammed Hafiz Fikri Zainol Abidin, Wan Nadzmi Fikri Mohd Faisal (RM1,500); and Siti Nuzulaika Ismail (RM1,000)

- Cycling: Mohd Fakhruddin Daud (RM1,500)

- Cricket: Kavintheran Kumar, Muhammad Syahadat Ramli, Fadzrin Kate-Lee, Tarma Raj Chandra Mohan, Muhammad Fetri Sham (RM1,500)

- Artistic Gymnastics: Mohamad Rajiman Abd Majid and Tan Ing Yuen (RM1,500)

- Rhythmic Gymnastics: Amy Kwan Dict Weng (RM1,500)

- Squash: Darren Subramaniam, G. Vanessa Raj and Celine Yap Shu Wan (RM1,500)

- Swimming: Ian James Barr, Claudine Low, Teh Wei Pin, Mohana Vijayan (RM1,500); and Chelsea Chong (RM1,000)

- Tennis: Adelle Boey Chi Yan (RM1,500) and Talhah Mohamad Rahizam (RM1,000)

  • E-mail this story
  • Print this story

Source:

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Star Metro on Facebook Star Metro on Twitter