Sports must serve as 'unity agent', says Muhyiddin

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said sports must continue to serve as a unity agent in Malaysia besides helping to strengthen the 1Malaysia spirit.

He said this was important to ensure that Malaysia continued to enjoy peace and prosperity.

"I also wish to remind athletes in higher learning institutions to display their excellence not only in the competition arena but also in the lecture room because they are the future leaders of the country," said Muhyiddin at the presentation of the Malaysia University Sports Council (Masum) Awards 2012, here last night.

Muhyiddin who is also the Education Minister said the merger of the education ministry and higher learning ministry would hopefully spur the agenda and development of sports to a level of pride, be it in school, higher learning institution or country.

He hoped the cooperation among the ministry, higher learning institutions and all the sports organisations would be strengthened to produce more world class athletes such as Pandelela Rinong and Bryan Nickson Lomas.

Meanwhile, the Masum 2012 Sportsman Award went to tenpin bowler Muhamad Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malik from Universiti Putra Malaysia while the Sportswoman award went to diving athlete Cheong Jun Hong from the same university.

Muhamad Syafiq sent a representative to receive the prize which included a challenge trophy and RM3,000 cash as he was participating in a competition in Singapore.