PETALING JAYA: Nicol David Organisation (NDO) will be rolling out its Positive Play model in more schools and communities nationwide starting next year with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh announced its intention to collaborate with NDO for greater awareness and accessibility to physical activity, empowering both students and teachers towards building a healthier and more resilient Malaysia.
"Sports and mental health are closely related. We aim to create more space for teachers to explore sports to equip children with the skills needed in better managing life’s realities - including failing and rising again, rules of engagement and physical interactions," said Hannah, who also urged former national athletes and organisations to also participate in raising the value of sports, pointing out that there is room for everyone to participate in shaping a healthy nation.
Positive Play have reached more than 1,000 students and 106 teachers at 30 schools in Kuala Lumpur, and three schools in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Kuching since last year.
Datuk Nicol David, founder of NDO and former world squash champion said: "We are excited about taking Positive Play across the country, serving as a platform to create greater awareness about the many benefits of sports, physical activity and movement.
"Sports is key to addressing Malaysia’s growing mental health challenges — particularly among children and youth. When children move, they build not just stronger bodies — but stronger minds.
"Through sport, we can teach discipline, confidence, teamwork and emotional balance."
As part of NDO's growing efforts to mobilise national awareness and action, the inaugural Sports and Mental Health Summit 2025 was held at Pavilion Bukit Jalil last week, uniting leaders from business, education, sport, and government in a shared mission - making physical movement for mental health a national priority.
