NDO

Nicol David launches the Nicol David Organisation

Kuala Lumpur, 2 June 2022 – Squash legend, Datuk Nicol David together with former Colombian squash player, Mariana de Reyes launched the Nicol David Organisation (NDO). With its lead programme called the “Little Legends”, the organisation seeks to build a positive future through a subsidised after-school programme of squash training and English tutoring for children from low- and mid-income families between the ages of 8 and 12.

The launch event was held in the Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Resort and was graced by His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’Ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’In Billah and Her Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda The Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Binti Almarhum Al-Mutawakkil Alallah Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj.

In an emotional speech Datuk Nicol David said,

“Today is the most significant day of my life. After much hard work and planning over the past 3 years since my retirement, I am finally able to announce that my non-profit organisation, the Nicol David Organisation is officially launched and how special it is to be graced by their Majesties in this event. I would like to sincerely thank both His Majesty and Her Majesty for this honour to be able to share this glorious day together. This will truly be a moment I will cherish always.”

“When I was five years old, I was given the greatest opportunity in my life. That was to play a sport, and my sport was squash. That opportunity changed my life forever as it showed be the importance of hard work, dedication and humility. This is why I believe with all my heart, that providing opportunities to children will change their future like mine. My goal now is to give that back to the future, in hopes that they can also reach their dreams and become a generation that inspires themselves, their families and their community.”

Graced by Their Majesties, Datuk Nicol David welcomed the first 58 Little Legends who were accepted into the programme.

 

Little Legends, Big Dreams

The NDO’s Little Legends program is a subsidised after-school programme, specially designed by Datuk Nicol David on the sports front with expertise from the US embassy on the English tutoring end, targeted at children from the B40 and M40 household income tiers.

Beginning at age 8, the children will undergo a 5-year programme comprising of squash training and English tutoring classes at the Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Resort. They will attend squash training and English classes twice a week for the duration of nine months a year.

The squash programme is designed by Datuk Nicol David as the Head Coach with a focus on developing children through prepared classes and modules, with an assessment to analyse progress at the end of each year grade. Children who undergo the programme will also be included in national and NDO competitions and tournaments.  They will be trained in coordination, strength, agility and endurance of the sport as an introduction, leading to a post graduate programme after five years. This includes sports scholarships, education scholarship funds as well as the opportunity to join the Malaysian Junior team and other foundation alliances affiliated with the organisation.

The English tutoring programme is designed with the US Embassy Kuala Lumpur as the programme partner and is aligned with the Ministry of Education’s curriculum for Primary Schools. Spearheaded by the U.S. Embassy’s English Language Fellow Shaheed Sabrin, classes and modules will teach the English language to children across the pillars of listening, speaking, writing and reading, with assessment at the end of each year grade to analyse progress.

Both are designed to bolster discipline and strengthen language skills, two things that David found to be important aspects in shaping a child’s future trajectory.

The organisation is supported by Kementerian Belia dan Sukan Malaysia (KBS); the US Embassy Kuala Lumpur; Coway Malaysia; Mercedes-Benz Malaysia; AIA Malaysia; JD Sports; Dunlop Malaysia, and Fitness Concept.