Schools told to prioritise sports too

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister said the effort was in line with the aspiration of the government to produce competitive human capital and also world class athletes.

"Towards this end, the ministry implements programmes, comprehensively by strengthening the management and development of sports in schools and educational institutions.

"The Schools Sports Development Committee has been set up at the ministry to plan, monitor and increase sports activities to unearth and develop new talent in numerous sports among students," he said when opening the 5th Malaysian Educational Institution Sport (Sipma) at the Pahang Matriculation College, here last night.

A total of 1,281 officials and athletes from seven contingents took part in the week-long championship which ends on Thursday.

Muhyiddin said the government always gave due attention to sports, which was among the best platforms for comprehensive and competitive human capital development.

According to Muhyiddin, numerous efforts were initiated to boost the achievement in sports and academic excellence.

"A balance in the development of both is capable of boosting sports achievement at educational institutions in the country. This can also help in the government's aspiration to make sports as an important field to expand the potential of human capital," he said.