IPOH, July 24 (Bernama) -- UDA Holdings Berhad (UDA) aims to produce young bowling talent through its UDA Cares: ‘Bangunkan Komuniti, Lahirkan Juara’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, in addition to strengthening its commitment towards community development.
UDA chairman Tan Sri Mohd Annuar Zaini said the effort is being implemented as it realises that bowling is a costly sport and it doesn't want any young talent to miss out due to financial constraints.
"Bowling, which is an expensive sport and involves high participation costs, often denies talented youngsters who are still schooling, especially the B40 group, the opportunity to actively take up the sport.
"UDA is confident that this group has hidden talent and can be groomed to become champions if given the space, opportunity, guidance and support,” he said at the UDA Cares Project 'Bangunkan Komuniti, Lahirkan Juara' Programme media conference at Angsana Mall here today.
He said the programme, implemented through a strategic public-private sector collaboration, is capable of elevating bowling as a holistic development platform for the younger generation in building identity and discipline and fostering the spirit of sportsmanship.
The UDA Cares: ‘Bangunkan Komuniti, Lahirkan Juara’ was established in February, and it held its first meeting with the relevant agencies to ensure the programme is implemented smoothly and has a significant impact.
The selection of participants was held on June 10 and 11, involving 120 students from Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sri Kinta, Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) Kampung Simee, SK Cator Avenue and Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Chung Tack Simee.
A total of 30 talented students were identified, and they are undergoing a 16-week intensive training from June 16 to Oct 6.
Mohd Annuar also said that those selected are being guided by former national bowler Syaidatul Afifah Badrul Hamidi, who hails from Ipoh.
"We hope Syaidatul Afifah and her panel of coaches, including two local professionals, can unearth their true potential and realise the programme's main objective: to produce quality and resilient champions.
"The selection of Angsana Ipoh Mall as the programme's official location is a strategic move to strengthen the role of the UDA-owned centre in empowering the local community, in line with the branding of ‘L.I.F.E.’ -Legacy, Integrated, Fitness and Enrich,” he said.
Mohd Annuar said Angsana Ipoh Mall is not just a shopping destination, but also an inclusive community hub that reflects one of UDA's roles, namely encouraging entrepreneurship activities in urban areas.
He added that the programme is a collaboration by UDA and the Perak State Education Department, Perak Youth and Sports Department, Perak State Sports Council and the Perak Foundation.
The programme, he said, has also received support from the private sector, namely Perak Transit Berhad and FND Empire Sdn Bhd (the operator of Lite Superbowl JB9 at Angsana Ipoh Mall).
The highlight of the programme is its official launch in conjunction with the National Sports Day and 2025 UDA Carnival on Oct 12.
-- BERNAMA
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