Ipoh – Twelve year-old Amer Muhsin Jailani pumped his fist in rejoice and the audience cheered and applauded as the master speller named him the winner of the “Knowledge Discovery-CHAMPS 3rd National Spelling Competition” after he calmly and confidently spelled the winning word, “cornucopia”.

Amer was among the 48 students from 13 states and three federal territories throughout Malaysia who competed to be the nation’s top speller in the “Knowledge Discovery-CHAMPS National Spelling Competition”. These students consisted of the top three best spellers who participated in the state and federal territory level competitions held since May this year.

The “Knowledge Discovery-CHAMPS 3rd National Spelling Competition” was jointly organised by Knowledge Discovery magazine and the Ministry of Education Malaysia with CHAMPS, the leading brand for children’s multivitamins as the main sponsor.

The competition aims to strengthen the vocabulary and spelling skills of primary school students from Standard Four to Six while helping them develop the correct English usage and promote reading and writing.

The Standard Six student of Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Uda, Kedah went home with a Championship Trophy and certificate, Knowledge Discovery Educational Grant of RM1,000, a 3D/2N holiday package in Langkawi Lagoon Resort, a CHAMPS hamper, a mobile handphone, a digital camera and a two-year subscription of Knowledge Discovery magazine.

“In preparation for the competition, I practised four hours daily with my teacher and friends in a fun and interesting way. Our teacher tested us with new and difficult words from Knowledge Discovery magazine and the dictionary and we would try our best to outdo each other to spell the words correctly,” said the budding engineer who enjoys reading mystery books, swimming and playing badminton.

Meanwhile, 12 year-old runner-up, Janet Wong Char Lin walked away with a certificate, a 3D/2N holiday package in Bukit Merah Lake Town, a CHAMPS hamper, a mobile handphone, a digital camera and a one-year subscription of Knowledge Discovery magazine.

“I am disappointed that I did not win but I am happy to have come this far as I had no expectations for the competition. My teachers encouraged me to participate in the competition and I practised by searching for new words on the internet, reading Knowledge Discovery magazine and books on common mistakes in spelling,” said the Standard Six student of Sekolah Kebangsaan Infant Jesus Convent, Johor who loves reading Harry Potter books and aims to become a lawyer one day.

Consolation prize winners each received a certificate and a one-year year subscription of Knowledge Discovery magazine.

Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad (CCM) Group Managing Director, Dato’ Dr Mohd Hashim Tajudin said the competition offers students the opportunity to improve their level of comprehension and communication skills and also boost their confidence and self-esteem as they compete amongst their peers in front of a huge audience.

“Spelling matters because it gives you many advantages. Participating in a spelling competition requires a lot of hard work, determination, discipline and persistence to learn the proper way to spell new words and understand their meanings. Overcoming this challenge builds students’ character as well as enhancing their learning and analytical capabilities that will benefit them throughout their lives.

“Students who master their spelling abilities are also motivated to read more as they have an inquisitive mind and a greater thirst for knowledge. They also tend to become good writers as they are detail-oriented in whatever they do and are inclined to practise and apply the new words in their writing,” said Dato’ Dr Mohd Hashim.

“Our CHAMPS multivitamins are specially formulated to give children the benefits of all vitamins and minerals for a sharp mind and a strong and healthy body. We are delighted to sponsor such an initiative which enhances the development of mental and physical health among growing children, and assists them in building a solid foundation for their education and future careers.

Deputy Director, Sport, Arts and Co-Curriculum Division, Ministry of Education Malaysia, En Shamsuri bin Sujak was also present to grace the event.

This year’s winner follows in the footsteps of Kashwini d/o Arumugam from Pahang and Allyna Ng Ming Yi from Malacca who became the “Knowledge Discovery-CHAMPS National Spelling Competition” champions in 2007 and 2008 respectively.

In July this year, the “Perak Spelling Day” drew 130,000 students from 817 primary schools comprising Standard 4 to 6 students from all schools in the state. The event broke the Malaysia Book of Records with the biggest participation in a single spelling competition exceeding Pahang’s achievement in organising the inaugural national “Spelling Day” in the state last year. In that event, more than 53,000 students from all 527 primary schools in Pahang ‘spelt’ their way into the Malaysia Book of Records. The Pahang State Education Department also honoured Knowledge Discovery magazine and CHAMPS with the Human Development Award in August this year in recognition of their contributions towards the development of English among school children in the state.

CCM, Malaysia’s largest generic pharmaceutical manufacturer, is listed on the main board of Bursa Malaysia and is a key player in the fertilizers, chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries.

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Issued with the compliments of Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad
Through Eric Pringle Associates Public Relations Sdn Bhd.
For further information, please contact Ida Fazila Ismail
at 03-2161 7144 or e-mail at ifazila@epapr.com.my