Board game creator Ting Sie Bing was inspired to develop a mathematics and science English crossword board game for schoolchildren following the move to teach these subjects in English.

"Understanding maths and science terminology is very important, maths and science cannot be learnt by rote. It is my hope that my board game will help students learn the terminologies first and from there they can move on to acquire knowledge and learn the subjects in depth," he said.

According to Ting, director of SPM Syarikat Permainan (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, the idea for a mathematics and science board game was first conceived from a brainstorming session with Dr Yew Kam Keong, former creative advisor of Lego International, Denmark, and former strategic planner in the Prime Minister's Department. It took Ting two months of intensive work to come up with the Mathematics-Science board game. Ting is also the creator of several local board games available in the market.

He invented the first Malaysian crossword board game in Bahasa Malaysia, Sahibba, in 1976 after discovering that Malay words could not be formed from the English crossword sets because of the letter distribution system. He discovered that for Malay words 50 per cent of all root words begin with the letters B, K, P, S and that the letter A is the most useful letter of all words. He then adjusted the letter tiles provided the game based on this.

Zainal, president of the association's pro-tem committee, said its objectives include:
· Giving recognition by certifying outstanding board game players in primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities
· Presenting monetary rewards to outstanding board game players; and providing material and technical support to schools and clubs

In the case of certifying players, Zainal said the NBA was working on an acceptable certification format and would put it to the test. "We intend to have a ranking system at the state and national levels, if possible. Apart from recognition and motivation, it would spur interest in the game."

"We are talking to schools first to gauge feedback, but so far it has been very encouraging," he said. He said both teachers and students are receptive to the idea, adding that the teachers are excited because they see it as a means not just for improving English but also enhancing interaction between students.

As for assisting schools and clubs with material and technical support, Zainal said the NBA was keen in securing sponsorship from the private sector or the Government. "For funding we are looking at sponsors from the private sector who share our vision and are interested in promoting the game. We also hope the Government will participate in the programme," he said.

He said the NBA is also working closely with the manufacturers to sponsor crossword board game sets that would be put to good use in schools.