Results Enhancing through Active Learning

Extra Curricular Activities (ECA)

Interview with Sekolah Seri Suria Karate Club Advisor

The Karate Club in Sekolah Seri Suria has a history of more than 10 years ago. It is one of its most successful sport clubs as it produces many talented athletes and champions. One of the factors that contribute to the success of this club is their coach.

Name: P. Arivalagan

History: Mr Arivalagan caught interest in Karate when he was only 4 years old. His inspiration to take up Karate was his father, who is a National Coach for Malaysia. Coming from a poor background, he started teaching Karate as an extra income to pay for his daily expenses. Unknowingly through this, he found his passion and ability in molding talented athletes and has been coaching for more than 20 years.

Personal Achievements:
Mr Arivalagan has strings of achievements under his belt both as an athlete and coach. As an athlete, he was a National Champion in 1992. He then went on to win 7 Gold medals in 6 consecutive SEA Games.

His track record as a coach is even more impressive. He produces two top Malaysia woman athletes. In 1998, another two of his apprentice, C. Muralitharan and R. Muniandy both won the Gold Medal in the Asian Games. A year later, Muniandy also won the Gold Medal in the 1999 SEA Games, the same event where Arivalagan won Gold as well. This is a rare occasion, where a coach and the apprentice won Gold in the same event.

Mr Arivalagan also runs a Karate Association that provides not only Karate classes to aspiring athletes but also provides a job for other Karate coaches. He has 12 coaches working with him under this association and all of them were his apprentice. 10 of them were or are currently national players and the other 2 coaches are in the making to be the next generation of national players.

With such impressive track record, Mr. Arivalagan is hailed as a
“Producer of National Champions”.

Current Career: Head Coach of Malaysia Karate Team (National Sports Coach since 2002)

Professional Milestone: 1986 to 1999 – National Athlete
1999 to 2002 – Private Coach
2002 to now – National Coach

Involvement with Sekolah Seri Suria
Mr Arivalagan serves as a karate consultant and is involved in the development of the karate program. The program is implemented by a group of coaches that he mentors.
Classes: Tue & Wed – Primary & Secondary (all ages)
Thursday – Pre-school

How did the club started?
Mr Arivalagan approached Sekolah Seri Suria to include Karate as an Extra Curriculum Activity and was accepted. He designed a Karate program for the school, which was implemented by another coach, Ms Wani. The program was an immediate success because of Ms Wani’s unique teaching method. She was a pre-school teacher before coming to SSS. And with her teaching skills, she blends it perfectly with the training skills of Karate. In other words, Ms Wani implements the Karate program with a touch of a teacher.

Coaches in Sekolah Seri Suria
Mr. Arivalagan provides 4 lady coaches to handle the Karate club in the school. All these coaches were National Players and Champions and it is very fortunate to have them coaching the Surians.

Why is Karate students in Sekolah Seri Suria excel better than other schools?
Mr. Arivalagan also provides consultation to other private school but he says that Suria students produce the best results. He says that this achievement very much has to do with the approach that Sekolah Seri Suria takes towards ECA. He says Suria put a lot of emphasize in the importance of physical education and its not just about getting all A’s. The school management fully support and accommodate his proposals and suggestions on bringing the Karate club to the next level. This is the unique feature of Suria that other schools are lacking.

What makes a champion?
Mr. Arivalagan says that there are three important aspects:-

1. Parents support – Some parents do not give their full support although they know their kid is capable. This is because they do not see a future in it.
2. Desire – The student themselves must have an undying desire to excel in the sport. With desire, the student will automatically have a strong determination and self-discipline.
3. Physical Shape – There is no set rule to say which type of body shape is better because there is always compensation. A tall person could be stronger, better reach and powerful. But a short person is more agile, fast and sneaky.

Benefits of Karate

1. Properly designed and progressive physical workout, which bring good health and fitness
2. Improves an individual’s balance and coordination
3. Promotes good discipline because students must follow instructions and learn to be obedient.
4. A useful self-defense skill.
5. Promotes self-confidence.
6. Build a good character.

The Differentiation Factor of Suria’s Karate club.

1. The Karate club of Suria has enrolment of more than 100 students. However, the coach to student ratio is always kept at 1:20.
2. All coaches are doing it for passion and it is not about making money. There is no additional charge by the coaches for any extra classes.
3. Coaches have never canceled any classes and therefore provide a good continuity of pace.
4. Upgrading of belt level is conducted on regular basis by external professional assessors.
5. Parents are very happy with the results and provide a lot of support and encouragement.

For more information of the Karate Club in Sekolah Seri Suria, please contact the office at 03-9021 3601.