By KAREN CHAPMAN
educate@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Former national sprinter Marina Chin has been appointed principal of the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS).

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said Marina was chosen because she had both the experience as a teacher and a passion for sports.

“We need someone like Marina because she understands the athletes’ needs and requirements. She is also able to provide the flexibility they need such as postponing examinations if they have competitions overseas.

New challenge: Hishammuddin congratulating Marina after her appointment as the new head for BJSS in Kuala Lumpur.

“To me, Marina is a good choice. She can use her experience to set the standards for any future replacements, not just at the BJSS but in our sports school in Bandar Penawar, Johor, and the other three planned for Pahang, Perlis and Sabah under the Ninth Malaysia Plan,” he said.

He said he believed her expertise and wide experience in national sports development could be used to improve the performance of athletes, particularly those in BJSS.

All the academic experts are already in place at the school to assist her, he added.

Marina, who is now the principal of SMK Sultan Abdul Samad in Petaling Jaya, said her first task would be to study the programmes in place at BJSS before implementing new courses.

She will start at BJSS on Wednesday and take over from Saidin Osman, who headed the school since Jan 1, 2005.

“This will be a new experience for me and I was surprised to be appointed the principal of the school. It is a challenge that I accept and I hope to take the school to greater heights,” she said.

Marina has a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a master's degree in sports administration from Ohio State University, United States.

As an athlete, Marina was the national women’s 100m champion and also a top hurdler. She won seven SEA Games gold medals and a gold and two silver medals in the Asian track and field competition.

She was named Sportswoman of the Year in 1976 and 1977.

Marina still continues to be active in sports by contributing to various sports associations such as being the head of the instructor programme in talent identification for the National Sports Council.

She has also written books and articles on sports and education.

Hishammuddin said BJSS under Marina would also be included in the list of cluster schools.

The minister had announced the list of the 30 pioneer cluster schools in March where school heads are given autonomy in five key areas – human resources, school funds, student intake, teaching and learning, and examinations and evaluation.

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