THE Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) has allocated RM4.3mil this year for Orang Asli youth sports and fitness programmes to promote a healthy lifestyle.
This is under Jakoa’s Human Capital Development Programme to provide opportunities for indigenous youths to engage in sports and fitness activities.
Rural and Regional Development Ministry secretary-general Datuk Muhd Khair Razman Mohamed Annuar said the programme aimed to foster closer ties among the 18 Orang Asli ethnic groups in Peninsular Malaysia through sports activities.
It is also to provide exposure to information on rules and regulations of the sports being contested.
“Thirdly, it aims to enhance Orang Asli youths physical health and fitness through healthy competition and to cultivate a sporting spirit,” he said in his speech at the opening of the 2024 Orang Asli Sports Carnival (KSOA) at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Tanjung Malim, Perak.
Muhd Khair added that many athletes from the Orang Asli community had made a name for themselves at national and international competitions.
He said they included cricketers Zumika and Sasha Azmi, national sailor Norashikin Mohamad Sayed, who represented Malaysia at the SEA Games, and Nia Vanessa Suhann, a national endurance cyclist who has competed in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.
“The latest is a 12-year-old boy from the Bateq ethnic group in Kampung Aring 5, Pos Lebir, Gua Musang, Kelantan, Sa’ap Baharom.”
He has been offered a place at Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) Academy by JDT Talent Search and Youth Development head Diego Griffa,” he said as reported by Bernama.
Muhd Khair said Orang Asli athlete Noorazrul Jamirul Jamrus, 19, won a gold medal for Negri Sembilan in artistic gymnastics at the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak.
“This shows the increasing interest and talent among Orang Asli youth.
“Jakoa has high hopes that new talents will emerge from this edition of KSOA, while also encouraging them to compete on bigger stages,” he said.
A total of 384 Orang Asli athletes competed in track and field events at this year’s KSOA.
The participants, aged 18 and above, were selected through state-level screenings that began in April.
Pahang emerged champion with 21 medals, followed by Selangor as the runner-up with 11 medals.
The third-place finishers were Perak and Kedah, with six medals each.
Through this championship, Jakoa also collaborated with Youth and Sports Ministry as well as Malaysia Athletics Federation to identify athletes with potential to compete at national and international levels.
