KUALA LANGAT, February 12 – The state government through the Selangor State Sports Council (MSN) is drafting an overall sports development programme which will be expanded to district level.

Selangor MSN Deputy Chairman, Amirudin Shari, said the steps were taken to ensure Selangor is never short of quality and talented athletes in the future, besides bringing sports to a higher level in the state of Selangor.

He said, the structural changes in the sports council which had just been approved by the Selangor MSN Management Committee is part of the initial steps taken whereby local authorities are involved in leading high performance development in districts.

He said this when officiating the 13th Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) 2010 Preparation Seminar at the Impiana Hotel in Banting, last night.

Also present was the Executive Director of Selangor MSN, Mohd Zubir Idrus.

In his speech, Amiruddin also reminded state and district sports associations to be active and work together with MSN, so that the sports development programmes in this state could be further developed thus creating more quality teenage athletes in Selangor.

“Selangor’s failure to maintain the championship at SUKMA 2008 in Terengganu last year was an eye-opener and made us realise how much we need to double our efforts and think ahead in restoring Selangor sports excellence,” he said, adding that he hoped the seminar would be able to rebuild their confidence in facing the SUKMA 2010.

Meanwhile, the two-day seminar was a preparatory step by the Selangor MSN and state sports associations in readying themselves for the 13th SUKMA in Malacca next year.

It was attended by 64 participants which included MSN officers, secretaries and  Selangor state Association Development Committees. – MURIZA ABDUL HAMID.