THE Malaysian contingent’s dismal performance at the recent SEA Games has opened the sports spigot, deluging the nation with various comments and views. However, on this much at least all can agree: that there are few opportunities for our athletes, upon leaving school, to continue their sporting endeavours, especially in a competitive mode.
To address this, in the 1980s, the Malaysian Rugby Union (MRU) drew up a scheme in which each state affiliate was to adopt as many ex-rugby school-leavers into their fold as possible to ensure their interest would not wane. The affiliate was to coach and field them in competitive matches regularly. The scheme, however, failed to take off as the affiliates were too busy while financial cost was also a problem.
