The athletes and officials getting together for a group photo.
BUKIT Jalil Sports School’s (BJSS) International Combined Events (ICE) athletics championships has gained a lot of interest from its counterparts in Asia.
Sri Lanka’s Trinity College, who made its debut in the championship, has decided to adopt the competition to complement its development programme.
Singapore Sports School, regulars in ICE, have seen several of their representatives in action for the Republic in the SEA Games, Asean Schools Games and other age group championships.
BJSS vice-principal S. Entheren said the coaches from Trinity College were impressed with the championships.
“They felt the same competition format could be implemented in their college. We have provided them with all the information. It will be interesting as they have shown a keen interest in promoting the championship format in other secondary schools in Sri Lanka.
“They have also agreed to invite BJSS for the championship in Sri Lanka. If this becomes a reality, athletes from BJSS will get an excellent platform to evaluate their progress against juniors in Sri Lanka.
“We have also received encouraging feedback from Singapore Sports School. We also make it a point to send our athletes to age group competitions in Singapore,’’ said Entheren after the completion of the two-day championships at the National Sports Council (NSC) Training Centre in Bukit Jalil.
The ICE championship is unique and caters for the Under-13 and Under-14 for both boys and girls. Every team is allowed to register four participants each in the four categories. The participants are also expected to represent their teams in a medley relay.
In the Under-13 age group, all participants have to compete in five events – 80m hurdles, shot put, long jump, high jump and 800m, while in the Under-14 age group, the events are 100m hurdles, high jump, 100m, long jump, shot put and 800m.
Besides Trinity College and BJSS, the other teams involved in the 2015 ICE were Sabah Sports School, Singapore Sports School, Pahang Sports School and Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sports School. Australia and Thailand, regulars in the ICE, were unable to attend because of their local competition season.
Entheren said the ICE championships gave the coaches the opportunity to evaluate the athletes’ performance.
“The idea is not to identify the events which the athletes will excel in. Many of them will be going towards specialisation as they will turn 15. We expect to see some of them gaining spots in the national back-up squads,’’ said Entheren.
In the Under-13 boys’ category, Sabah Sports School’s Baxter Baker was the winner with 3,440 points followed by teammate Azriel Othman (3,410 points). BJSS’ Mohammad Faisal Ahmad and Pahang Sports School’s Muhammad Alif Firdaus Khirulldin shared the third spot on 3,260 points.
In the Under-14 age group, Pahang’s Sports School’s Muhammad Luqman Hakim Sairu was the winner with 4,680 points while the second and third spots went to Singapore Sports School’s Raeshon Loo Wei Ming (4,580 points) and BJSS’ Muhammad Nabil Hamid (4,460 points), respectively.
In the girls’ category, BJSS’ Koong Jia Lin was the winner in the Under-13 age group with 3,580 points while Sabah Sports School’s Nurhaziqah Izzati Zana was the top athlete in the Under-13 age group with 4,550 points.
Entheren said they were pleased with the results of the Sabah Sports School.
“They have shown excellent progress over the years. We are also impressed with several athletes from BJSS. The Under-14 athletes will have to choose their events to specialise in. For instance, we will encourage K. Dinesh to focus on the 800m.
“He clocked a credible time in the two-lap race. He has the potential to excel in the 800m,’’ said Entheren.
Results
Boys
Under-13: 1. Baxter Baker (SSMS) 3,440 points; 2. Azriel Oliam (SSMS) 3,410 points ; 3. Mohammad Faisal Ahmad Daot (BJSS) and Muhammad Alif Firdaus Mohamad Khirulldin (SSMP) 3,260 points.
Team: SSMS 13,160 points; 2. SSMP 11,530 points; 3. BJSS 10,900 points.
Under-14: 1.Muhammad Luqman Hakim Sairu (SSMP) 4,680 points; 2. Raeshon Loo Wei Ming (SSS) 4,580 points; 3. Muhammad Nabil Hamid (BJSS) 4,460 points.
Team: 1. SSS 16,770 points; 2. SSMP 15,900 points; 3. BJSS 15,830 points.
Girls
Under-13: 1. Koong Jia Lin (BJSS) 3,580 points; 2. Najwah Asyilah Noralizam (SSTMI) 3,420 points; 3. Nur Atikah Azman (SSMP) 3,360 points.
Team: 1. BJSS 12,250 points; 2. SSS 11,910 points; 3. SSMS 10,470 points.
Under-14: 1. Nurhaziqah Izzati Zana (SSMS) 4,550 points; 2. Erlyn Yong (SSMS) 4,340 points; 3. Siti Nur Halisshya Md Azmi (BJSS) 4,150 points.
Team: 1. SSMS 16,570 points; 2. SSS 15,800 points; 3. BJSS 14,500 points.
