Zahid to Table Proposal for Karate to Be Included in MSSM at Next Cabinet Meeting
KUALA LUMPUR: A proposal to include karate as an official event in the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) programme will be presented to the Cabinet next week as part of efforts to strengthen the sport’s development at the school level.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he would raise the proposal during the Cabinet meeting and seek the Education Ministry’s consideration to formally include karate in the country’s premier inter-school sporting competition.
Speaking after officiating the 2026 International Karate Open Championship at Stadium Titiwangsa, Ahmad Zahid said he hoped Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek would carefully evaluate the proposal, which he believes could create more opportunities for young athletes to develop their talents.
“I will bring this matter to the Cabinet next week and request the Education Minister to consider making karate one of the sports contested under the Malaysian Schools Sports Council programme.
“God willing, I will do my best to ensure the proposal receives due consideration,” he said.
According to Ahmad Zahid, introducing karate into the MSSM competition would provide a stronger platform for talent identification and athlete development from an early age while encouraging greater student participation in the sport.
He noted that school-level competitions play a crucial role in building the national sporting pipeline, enabling promising athletes to progress through structured development programmes before competing at national and international levels.
Earlier, Putrajaya Karate Association president Datuk P. Thiagu appealed to the government to recognise karate as an official MSSM sport, saying the move would significantly strengthen grassroots participation and provide a more organised pathway for future national representatives.
He added that inclusion in the MSSM calendar would not only increase students’ interest in karate but also contribute to the long-term growth of the sport by creating consistent competitive opportunities throughout the country’s school system.
