Make use of National Sports Policy Action Plan

THE National Sports Policy (NSP) was adopted by the Malaysian Government in January 1988, almost 21 years ago.

And it has been 15 years since the Malaysian Association for Physical Education, Sports Science and Fitness (MAPESSF) organised the first NSP lecture which reminded people that Malaysia has such a document and that it should be used.

In 2006 MAPESSF president Datuk Dr Leonard A. de Vries was asked by the Cabinet Committee for Sports through then Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said to do the first review of the NSP which was completed and submitted by September that year.

He said the draft included the background, concepts and definitions, rationale, foundations, values and principles of the Malaysian sports system, aims and objectives, sports for all, high performance sports, sports facilities, human resources and careers, physical education and sports in schools, and the sports industry.

"The draft contains our ideas based on academic and professional knowledge and experience over many years and the feedback from people during the 8th National Sports Policy lectures organised by our association," de Vries told Timesport.
The National Sports Policy 1988 declared: "Sports deserves the same recognition and encouragement which were accorded to other basic social programmes such as education, transport, housing and health services so as to enable the government to achieve national development, unity and continued stability."

Malaysia endorsed UNESCO's International Charter for Physical Education and Sport enshrined in Article 1 in 1972 which states: "The practice of physical education and sport is a fundamental right for all and this right should not be treated as different in principle from the right to adequate food, shelter and medical care."

Malaysia also supported the United Nations Resolution 58/5 for 'Sport as a means to promote education, health development and peace' and which proclaimed 2005 as the United Nations International Year of Sport and Physical Education.

Malaysia strongly believes that the foundation of basic education must change from the 3Rs, reading, writing and arithmetic to the 4Rs which includes the right of all children to play freely and safely, and to have quality physical education and sports programme in all their schools.

Malaysia believes that achieving success at international level provides inspiration to all and that elite athletes encourage a sense of patriotism and also provides an important window through which people of other nation can view Malaysia.

Malaysia believes that the foundation of the sports system was based on a partnership of three key independent and equal decision-makers, namely the individual athlete, the national sports association and the government.

Malaysia strongly believes that the National Sports Policy provides the framework for Malaysia's institution of sports and its continuity and future development.

As such the policy and the National Sports Policy Action Plan developed every two years must be used by the government and non-government sport sectors for the long term and immediate operation of the sport system.