850 athletes competing in 58th MSSM Track and Field Championships

KUALA NERUS: A total of 850 athletes from 16 contingents are competing in the 58th Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) Track and Field Championships.

Education director-general Datuk Seri Khair Mohamad Yusof said the five-day championships from May 3-7 would see competitions in 30 events under six categories for boys and girls under 12, 15 and 18.

He said the championships this time involved 1,400 athletes and officials from throughout the country and the ministry remained committed to producing athletes with the potential of representing the country.

"The MSSM championships have produced many athletes. Last year, eight records were broken and we expect more this year which will show improvement by our young athletes."

He told this to reporters after the opening of this year's championships by Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman at Sultan Mizan Stadium, here, last night.

State Education director Shafruddin Ali Hussin, meanwhile, said Terengganu was confident of achieving its target of 18 gold medals to emerge overall champions.

He said last year, Terengganu came out third by collecting 10 gold, four silver and four bronze medals.

Terengganu is out to set new records, including through its sprinter Azreen Nabila Alias who ran the fastest at the Youth Athletics Championships 2016 in Bangkok. — Bernama