As such, he said he was shocked and saddened by the move by a secondary school in Johor to segregate sports according to race.

He said the country’s previous major accomplishments in sports had proven that sports can create a strong sense of togetherness.

He added that Malaysian supporters had shown that they would support all sports teams and athletes representing the country, regardless of their race.

“Have we forgotten the greatness of the national football team that qualified for the 1972 and 1980 Olympics and the national hockey team that finished fourth in the 1975 World Cup?

“Didn’t we cheer when the national badminton team won the 1992 Thomas Cup?”

Further, he said the school’s action was not in line with the education ministry’s implementation of sports programmes in school.

“Let our children play together regardless of their race,” he added.

Radzi noted that immediate action had been taken by the education ministry to resolve the matter.

Earlier today, deputy education minister Mah Hang Soon cancelled the racial and gender segregation policy for co-curricular sports and club activities implemented at SMK Dato’ Bentara Luar in Batu Pahat, Johor.

Mah said he had instructed the Johor Education Department to remove all restrictions, calling the move a mistake by the school principal as it contradicted the National Education Blueprint.

“It is through sports activities that we can encourage integration. Students can play together and promote unity, camaraderie and the spirit of togetherness,” he had said.