KBS EXPLORING NEW TALENTS, EVENTS TO ENHANCE CHANCES OF WINNING OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL - ADAM ADLI

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Youth and Sports is constantly exploring new talents and sporting events to enhance Malaysia's chances and hopes of winning the country's first gold at the Olympics since participation in major sporting events has not produced the expected impact.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim said among the new sports that will be focused on at the quadrennial games is squash which will be contested for the first time at the 2028 LA Olympics.

"So, we are focusing on this because we know that the country's squash players are among the best in the world, with the hope that sports like this can bring home the first gold," he said at the winding up session of the Supply Bill 2025 for his ministry in Dewan Negara today.

He was responding to Senator Manolan Mohamad's suggestion that KBS explore new sports that lack participation from contingents from other countries at the Olympics and be given a focus so that Malaysia can have an advantage.

Earlier, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave approval for squash to be contested for the first time at the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics along with four other new sports, namely cricket, flag football, lacrosse and baseball-softball.

At the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, squash will offer two gold medals in the men's and women's singles events.

Adam Adli said apart from squash, other new sports including skateboarding are being developed to ensure that Malaysia sends more contingents to the prestigious Games.

Meanwhile, National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang when winding up debate of his ministry said that the stance of the Ministry of National Unity (IGP) is in line with the Ministry of Education (MOE) which is not at all compromising on cases of bullying and racial issues in educational institutions.

He said the ministry would ensure that no cases were concealed at the institution and that all cases were also handled transparently by the authorities.

"At the IGP level, we have formulated various programmes to strengthen the spirit of unity among students through the Kembara Perpaduan Flagship while at the school level, the ministry has collaborated with the MOE in an effort to implement the elements of Rukun Negara through the establishment of the Rukun Negara Club since 2004.

"To date, the number of Rukun Negara Clubs nationwide is 6,489 with 4,416 in primary schools and 2,433 in secondary schools," he said. 

Aaron said the activities carried out through the Rukun Negara Club is focused on strengthening knowledge, understanding, appreciation and practice of Rukun Negara so that students would appreciate the value of unity.

-- BERNAMA