UPSI new batch of students get a 'grip of cricket'

FORTY-nine undergraduates from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) were introduced to the basics of cricket as the university steps up efforts to introduce the game among the new intake of students.

UPSI, officially established in 1997 though the history of this University dates back to 1922 when it was then known as Sultan Idris Training College (SITC), has set aside a 14-week session for cricket with each session lasting an hour.

“Teachers training colleges and universities like UPSI are the ideal institutions to coach cricket as when they graduate they will become teachers. And it is MCA’s hope that some of them will carry on coaching school children,” said MCA vice-president and chairman of development C. Sivanandan who heads the coaching programme at UPSI.

“They are taught the basics of the game at this stage and before they complete the last session, these students would have understood and played the game at the campus.” added Sivanandan.

“Our main targets are the primary and secondary schools. That being so teachers will have to be trained to be cricket coaches. In this respect we are looking at universities. The game is gaining popularity and it is our sincere hope that more universities be involved in promoting and developing the game.”

To date, cricket programmes have also been introduced at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang and Kubang Kerian – also one credit, and Institut Pusat Bahasa Antarabangsa, Kuala Lumpur.

Posted on 22 October, 2008