RYTHM Foundation’s inclusive youth football programme in Malaysia, Jaguh RF (RF Champion), capped off its 2025 season with a tournament that showcased months of training, teamwork, and determination. This month, students from four secondary schools gathered at Kuala Lumpur Sports Arena for a day that celebrated skill, growth, and the joy of playing as much as the final score.
The tournament featured 125 student-athletes from SMK Bangsar, SMK Vivekananda, SMK Bukit Bandaraya, and SMK Bandar Baru Seri Petaling.
The girls’ and boys’ teams competed in a round robin format, with 12 matches per category and 20-minute games that demanded focus and teamwork from start to finish. The girls’ category was decided on points, while the boys ended in a tie and went to a penalty shootout.
Recognising Team and Individual Growth
SMK Bandar Baru Seri Petaling emerged as champions in the boys’ category, with SMK Bukit Bandaraya as runners-up. In the girls’ category, SMK Bangsar took the top spot, followed by SMK Vivekananda.
Students who stood out for their skills, commitment, and sportsmanship also received awards, reflecting the programme’s conviction that how you play matters as much as the final score.
Across the matches, the impact of regular training was clear. Players communicated more clearly, trusted each other more, and played with a calmer sense of purpose. Wins mattered, but so did effort, discipline, and how the teams carried themselves on the field.
“Jaguh RF is not just about nurturing talented footballers,” Deputy Head of RYTHM Foundation, Shreevidya Anandan, shared. “It’s also about giving young people structure, confidence, and a space where they feel supported to try, fail, and keep going. That’s the heart of Jaguh RF.”
For many of these students, this is where they learn what consistency and teamwork look like. “Those lessons stay with them long after the match ends,” added Vidya, who also officiated the tournament.
More Than a Football Tournament
Launched in 2023, the programme was designed to help vulnerable youth excel through sports.
Jaguh RF continues to use football as a practical, grounded way to support young people, blending sport with education and life skills. The aim is precise and long-term: to help students build confidence, responsibility, and self-belief.
The tournament closed with tired legs and quiet pride, as parents, teachers, coaches, and supporters not only cheered the students but stood behind young people who could now see their own growth more clearly.
