Ministry plans to open 1,000 multilateral sports centres nationwide - Khairy

The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) plans to open 1,000 multilateral sports centres in selected schools throughout the country in five years to enhance the sports Talent Identification and Development Programme (MyTID).

Its minister Khairy Jamaluddin said 80 multilateral sports centres had been set up since the programme's implementation in 2007.

"From the 80 existing multilateral sports centres, we will audit to ensure the centres are still operating well as some are successful, some not so successful while some have to to be closed down."

He said this to reporters after the national-level launch of MyTID by Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan which was attended by Deputy Education Minister II Senator Chong Sin Woon, here, today.

Khairy Jamaluddin said students identified with natural sports talent would be placed at the multilateral sports centres and there students would be given emphasis on all aspects, including developing their coordination and sports capabality.

"They will also undergo a training programme that is planned based on elements of sports science such as diet, nutrition, physical adaptation, psychology, physiology exercise and sports biomechanics," he said.

Khairy said the MyTID programme would also be expanded to more areas to scout for more sports talents.

"We will try to cast the net as wide as possible.

"The wider our find, the higher the possibility of us finding sports champions to bring honours to our country at the international level," he said.

MyTID is a sports talent development programme from primary school level which involves the cooperation between the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Education Ministry.

The programme is aimed at creating an effective mechanism in identifying competitive athletes for the future.