JOHOR BAHRU, June 1 (Bernama) -- The Johor government will study a suggestion to appoint sports legends as basketball sports ambassadors to boost interest in the sport among youth, especially in the state.
State Youth and Sports, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said the approach could inspire and motivate youth to be active in sports.
“We will refer this to the Malaysian Basketball Association (MABA) to identify athletes and legends who can bring a good image and motivate youth in baskeball.
“Maybe I or the Johor Sports Council will contact Datuk Lee (MABA president Datuk Lee Tian Hock),” he said when met after the launch of the 59th MABA-MATRIX Under-17 National Championship that was officiated by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi here tonight.
He added that the effort was part of the strategy to strengthen the Johor Sports Nation 2030 agenda, including through the Bangsa Johor Sports programme, which introduced various sports in all state constitutencies.
National badminton legend Datuk Lee Chong Wei and two-time World Rugby Cup champion Sonny Bill Williams were officially appointed Johor Sports Ambassadors in April to symbolise the state’s aspirations of empowering a world-class sports culture.
-- BERNAMA
