PUTRAJAYA: The teacher who motivated her amputee student to cross the finish line in a viral video won an award at the National Youth Premier Award this year.
The teacher, Intan Zulaikha Jusoh, was awarded for the Anugerah Khas Inspirasi category where she bags a trophy and RM10,000.
Both the teacher and the student Muhammad Aqil Naufal Zahiran were welcomed to the stage with a round of applause to receive the award here today.
"My efforts, if compared to what others have done, is very small (gesture) but if this will inspire everyone, then I am forever grateful.
"I know that teachers who have the opportunity to unearth the talents of their students will always do so to push them to attain success," she said in a press conference after receiving the award today.
The eleven-year-old student from Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Felda Lepar Utara 1 was elated for the award today.
"I hope I can represent Malaysia in football one day," he said.
A video showing Muhammad Aqil racing to the finish line while competing against other able bodied students during Jerantut district Special Education Athletics Championships held recently went viral.
Though he was not the fastest in the run in, his teacher was running with him along the sideline of the track to motivate him to cross the finish line.
Intan Zulaikha said that there is no specific category for special needs children in the competition, but she decided to take Muhammad Aqil with her for him to gain experience in a competitive field.
"I don't want him to feel left out and be included with the others.
"I never knew our effort has resulted in a big impact to all. It is a rezeki for both of us," she said.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who presented the awards earlier, said that the nominations for this year has seen a significant jump by 20 per cent compared to last year.
For the main categories, two special categories and five youth icon categories were contested for this year's award ceremony.
"The message from the Muhammad Aqil story is that, though we are facing difficult situations to win, we should not give up," she said in the press conference.
Also present was Youth and Sports deputy minister Adam Adli Abd Halim.