Upacara Perasmian Penutupan Kejohanan Bola Jaring Remaja Asia Ketiga 2002
Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur  8 October 2002

Saya berbesar hati dijemput oleh Jawatankuasa Persatuan Bola Jaring Malaysia selaku tuan rumah untuk merasmikan Upacara Penutupan Kejohanan Bola Jaring Remaja Asia ketiga pada petang ini. Saya difahamkan pada pertandingan akhir petang ini pasukan Sri Lanka telah menjadi juara dan pasukan Malaysia telah menjadi naib juara. Saya ucapkan tahniah kepada kedua-kedua pasukan dan juga kepada pasukan Singapura yang dapat tempat ketiga.

2. Aktiviti sukan seperti bola jaring memberi banyak manfaat kepada manusia terutama remaja, bukan sahaja dari segi kecergasan fizikal tetapi juga dari segi kesihatan mental. Oleh itu saya berbangga Persatuan Bola Jaring Malaysia menerima cabaran menjadi pengelola untuk Kejohanan Bola Jaring Remaja Asia Ketiga mulai 1 Oktober hingga hari ini. Tujuh negara termasuk Malaysia sendiri telah mengambil bahagian. Memandangkan upacara hari ini melibatkan enam negara luar, saya akan meneruskan ucapan saya dalam Bahasa Inggeris. Netball players and Officials from the countries of the Asia Netball Federation; Ladies and Gentlemen,

3. It is my great pleasure today to give away the prizes and officially close the third Asian Youth Netball Championship today. The seven participating teams (six from overseas) have been officially welcomed to Malaysia, but I would like to add my own personal welcome. I would like to congratulate the winners of the Championship, the Sri Lanka team, the runner up, the Malaysia team and the third placing team, the Singapore. My heartiest congratulations to the three teams that have achieved the top three positions, but I would like to extend equally warm congratulations to the other four teams, the gallant participants in this Championship.

4. In sports, as in life, it is not just the winning that counts but the manner of participation. I understand the championship has seen very closely contested games and very good netball being played. My congratulations also to the Malaysian Netball Association and the Organising Committee of the Championship. In this time when there is so much strife and violence in the world, having seven teams of young netball players from Asia getting together for the last eight days to play good netball, is indeed an achievement that we can all be proud of. Sports like netball transcends national boundaries and help to promote goodwill and the sporting spirit among young people in the region. In this instance, sports associations like the Malaysian Netball Association and its counterpart in the Asian Netball Federation are doing a marvellous job to further promote peace in the Asian region. Ladies and Gentlemen,

5. I was informed that the Malaysian Netball Association hosted the 1st Asian Netball Championship in 1985, and the 3rd Asian Youth Netball Championship today. The MNA also had taken steps to promote netball in South East Asia and organized the Netball Championship in the 21st SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur in 2001, introducing netball for the first time in the SEA Games. Encouraging netball among young women (adolescents) in Malaysia is most welcomed. Malaysia, as in other countries in Asia, is faced with adolescent problems, with girls involving themselves in criminal activities, immorality and drug abuse and now the increasing incidence of HIV/Aids and its spread are causing a lot of concern. Adolescent girls if directly participate in healthy activities such as sports, including netball will reduce the risk of involvement in un-desirable activities. For adult women, continuous participation in sports will not only strengthen them physically and mentally but also enhance co-ordination, net working among themselves, specialize in management and group working, and the spirit of togetherness (esprit de corps). Ladies and Gentlemen, Players and Officials of participating teams,

6. I would like to end by wishing you all the best in your netball activities in future. I am sure, with the interest and dedication shown, during the Third Asian Youth Netball Championship, netball has a bright future as a sport for women in Asia. To all the teams, I bid you `bon voyage' on your journey home to your loved ones and hope that you bring home with you, among other things fond memories of the Championship and your stay in Malaysia. Tuan-tuan dan Puan-puan, Pemain dan Pegawai Bola Jaring yang dihormati sekalian,

7. Tamatlah sudah Kejohanan Bola Jaring Remaja Asia Ketiga yang bermula pada 1 Oktober dan berakhir pada 8 Oktober. Saya ucapkan syabas kepada Jawatankuasa Pengelola Kejohanan Bola Jaring Remaja Asia Ketiga, semua Ahli Jawatankuasa Kecilnya dan semua sukarelawan yang telah bertungkus lumus bagi menjayakan kejohanan ini. Kepada semua pemain dan pegawai pasukan yang akan balik ke pangkuan keluarga, saya ucapkan selamat sampai ke destinasi masing-masing. Saya berdoa agar aktiviti bola jaring di dalam negeri dan dirantau Asia akan berkembang maju dengan pesat dan jayanya

8. Dengan lafaz Bismillahirrahmanirrahim saya dengan sukacitanya menutup dengan rasminya Kejohanan Bola Jaring Remaja Asia Ketiga, 2002.

Wabillahitaufik Walhidayah Wassalamualikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.