Nicol David Organization to roll out positive play nationwide

November 2, 2025

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From right: Datuk Nicol David, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, and Mariana deReyes at the recently concluded inaugural Sports & Mental Health Summit 2025, organized by the Nicol David Organization, which was held at Pavilion Bukit Jalil from October 30 to November 2.

Nicol David Organization (NDO) will be scaling up its Positive Play (+Play) model in more schools and communities nationwide starting next year with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh announced its intention to collaborate
with NDO for greater awareness and accessibility to physical activity, empowering both students and teachers towards building a healthier and more resilient Malaysia.

“Sports and mental health are closely related. As such, the Ministry aims to create more space for teachers to explore sports to equip children with the skills needed in better managing life’s realities - including failing and rising again, rules of engagement and physical interactions,” said Hannah Yeoh at Nicol David Organization's (NDO) inaugural Sports & Mental Health Summit 2025.

She also urged ex-national athletes and organizations to participate in raising the value of sports, pointing out that there is room for everyone to participate in shaping a healthy nation.

NDO +Play pilots show positive results
Since the pilot was introduced in April this year, NDO’s +Play has reached more than 1,000 students and 106 teachers at 30 schools in Kuala Lumpur, and 3 schools in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Kuching.

The schools are:
Kuala Lumpur
1. SJKT Sungai Besi
2. SK Seri Indah
3. SK Bukit Jalil
4. SJKT Ladang Bukit Jalil
5. SK Bandar Baru Seri Petaling 1
6. SK Bandar Baru Seri Petaling 2
7. SJKC Choong Wen (Old Klang Road, KL)
8. SK Meri Mega
9. SK Seri Setia (Jalan Kuchai Lama, KL)
10. SK Salak South (Taman Salak Selatan,KL)
11. SK Desa Petaling (Taman Desa, KL)
12. SK Sungai Besi (Sungai Besi, KL)
13. SJKC Kwong Hon (Sungai Besi, KL)
14. SK Seri Saujana
15. SK Bangsar
16. SK Desa Tasik
17. SJKC La Salle
18. SK Bukit Bandaraya
19. SJKC Yoke Nam
20. SK Petaling 2
21. SK Alam Damai
22. SK Bandar Tasik Selatan
23. SK Danau Perdana
24. SK Brickfields 1
25. SK Brickfields 2
26. SJKT Bangsar
27. SJKT Cheras
28. SJKT Kampung Pandan
29. SJKT Jalan San Peng
30. SK Bukit Pantai
31. SK Jalan Pasar
32. SK Seri Suria
33. SJK(T) Jalan Fletcher
34. SJK(T) Appar
35. SJKT Saraswathy (Klang Lama)
36. SK Seri Anggerik
37. SK Puteri Pandan 1
38. SK Bandar Tun Razak 1
39. SK Bandar Tun Razak 2

Sabah
1. SMK Elopura 2, Sandakan
2. SMK Putatan, Kota Kinabalu

Sarawak
1. SMK Hajjah Laila Taib, Samarahan

Early results from the 4-week program, which includes a combination of physical activity with positive psychology sessions, show that children improved their confidence in playing sports by 15 percent, heightened their resilience by 9 percent and increased their happiness and life satisfaction by up to 8 percent. Many also resonated with the topic of positive thinking, recalling key points and actions from the session. Teachers in selected schools who joined the +Play Cikgu sessions also showed a jump in optimism and in understanding the importance of regular activity.

Datuk Nicol David, Founder of NDO and former world squash champion said, “We are excited about taking +Play across the country, serving as a platform to create greater awareness about the many benefits of sports, physical activity and movement. Sports is key to addressing the growing mental health challenges — particularly among children and youth. When children move, they build not just stronger bodies — but stronger minds. Through sport, we can teach discipline, confidence, teamwork and emotional balance.”

NDO’s Co-founder, Mariana deReyes echoed this saying. “Sport isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. It’s not something “extra” after school or “optional” for those who are talented, or solely for the purpose of winning medals. It’s something every child deserves — because it builds the foundation for a healthy, confident, connected life.”

“Through our programs, we work in schools, urban communities, and in underprivileged areas — creating safe spaces where kids from all backgrounds can learn not just to play, but to believe in themselves,” said de Reyes.

According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023, 1 in 5 Malaysian children now experience mental health challenges. The same study also highlights that obesity and inactivity are rising, with more than half of adults overweight or obese. Meanwhile, children aged five to 17 have scored an unsatisfactory “D-” on their physical activity and health on the Malaysia 2022 Physical Activity Report Card For Children And Adolescents by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in cooperation with Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance.

“NDO hopes to serve as a bridge between the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, to integrate sport-based well-being into the school day— so every child has access to both physical and mental resilience training,” said Datuk Nicol.

As part of NDO’s growing efforts to mobilize national awareness and action, the inaugural Sports & Mental Health Summit 2025 was held at Pavilion Bukit Jalil from October 30 to November 2, uniting leaders from business, education, sport, and government in a shared mission: making physical movement for mental health a national priority. Discussion centered on various approaches to building mental resilience through sport. The program included a special exhibition match with celebrity influencers and sports ambassadors such as Goh Liu Ying- former badminton player, Liz Irving - former world squash champion and coach and Noor Askuzaimey Mat Salim - Paralympic Boccia athlete.

Additionally, Pavilion Bukit Jalil hosted children and parents for outdoor squash and family-friendly carnival games to celebrate movement, connection and well-being under one roof.

Nicol David Organization (NDO)
The Nicol David Organization (NDO) is a Malaysian non-profit founded by Datuk Nicol David and Mariana de Reyes, dedicated to empowering communities through sport, education, and mental wellbeing. Its flagship programs — Little Legends, Ibu Legends, and Positive Play — use sport and
learning to build confidence, resilience, and connection among children, mothers, and families. Through these initiatives, NDO envisions a Malaysia where every child and mother has the opportunity to reach their full potential — on and off the court.

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