2 april 2009. The Star.

HEAVY rain failed to dampen the spirit of the athletes on the final day of the Selangor Schools Sports Council (MSSS) athletics championships at the Petaling Jaya Stadium in Kelana Jaya recently.

After the 90-minute downpour, the technical officials as well as the volunteers got together and the meet resumed. MSSS athletics co-ordinator Noor Azli Abdul Rahman said the rain had disrupted the programme for the day.

“However, we have to commend the technical officials and the hosts — the Petaling Utama District Education Department — for making the championships a success. The district’s sports co-ordinator, Abdul Rahman Hamzah, should be commended for the good work,” Noor Azli said.

At the end of the four-day championships, Petaling Utama emerged as the overall champions with 43 gold, 22 silver and 14 bronze medals, while Klang were adistant second (22-25-22), followed by Gombak (19-17-26).

First to cross the line: Hulu Langat’s Irsyad Ab Rais (in purple) crossing the finishing line ahead of his rivals in the Boys Class One 200m.

Hulu Selangor chief coach R. Mohanraja said the championships was an exciting meet and all the 10 districts were well prepared.

“The participants in the Under-15 age group have shown tremendous progress. In fact, most of the new records came in the Under-15 age group,” Mohanraja noted.

Hulu Selangor won nine gold, 10 silver and seven bronze medals. Irfan Asyraf Mohd Rahimi was named the best athlete in the boys’ Class Four for winning the gold medals in the 100m and 200m.

Mohanraja said their impressive outing was the result of a six-day centralised training programme.

“We had all the athletes together and we managed to correct their techniques. After a long time, we have won nine gold medals. Now we have to continue the training programme as the athletes are talented,” said Mohanraja.

The sportsmen and sportswomen: (From left) Mohd Iqbal Na’im Mazali (Boys Class Two), Leong Ann Gie (Girls Class Two), Sri Suganyaa Naderaja (Girls Class One) and Irsyad Abdul Rais (Boys Class One).

Petaling Perdana’s Muhammad Yaakub Haja Majmudin was named the Best Male Athlete, and Petaling Utama’s Leong Ann Gie, the Best Female Athlete, of the championships.

Muhammad Yaakub, taking part in Class Three, showed his potential when he won the 100m, 200m and 400m gold medals with new records. Leong also won three gold medals (400m, 200m hurdles and 100m hurdles) setting records in the 200m hurdles and 100m hurdles in the process.

Selangor Education Department Sports Unit head Mohamed Latifi Abu Bakar said they were happy with the athletes’ performance.

“We have identified the athletes to represent Selangor in the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) championships in May,” he said.

ROLL OF HONOUR

Best Athletes

Boys

Class One: Irsyad Abdul Rais (Hulu Langat)

Class Two: Mohd Iqbal Na’im Mazali (Petaling Utama)

Class Three: Muhammad Yaakub Haja Najmudin (Petaling Perdana)

Class Four: Irfan Asyraf Mohd Rahimi (Hulu Selangor)

Class Five: Mohd Hafiz Mohamad (Sabak Bernam)

Best Male Athlete: Muhammad Yaakub Haja Majmudin (Petaling Perdana)

Girls

Class One: Sri Suganyaa Naderaja (Klang)

Class Two: Leong Ann Gie (Petaling Utama)

Class Three: Raihanah Rosdin (Gombak)

Class Four: Savinder Kaur (Gombak)

Class Five: Fatinur Farisya Arman (Petaling Perdana)

Best Female Athlete: Leong Ann Gie (Petaling Utama)

Overall champions: 1. Petaling Utama (43 gold; 22 silver; 14 bronze); 2. Klang (22-25-22); 3. Gombak (19-17-26)