Happy walkers taking a group photo at JDP 2023 held at Stadium MSN Setiawangsa, Kuala Lumpur.
THE Junior Development Programme (JDP) finished the year on a high note when 102 junior walkers participated in JDP 2023.
The event organised by Race Walkers’ Association of Malaysia (RWAM) was held at Stadium MSN Setiawangsa in Kuala Lumpur.
The collaboration with MKH Bhd and Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur Athletic Association (FTKLAA) saw the three organisations join forces to support and nurture future stars of Malaysian athletics.
Two records were broken during the event.
In the under-12 category for boys and girls, Muhammad Hafiy Muhamad Mazuan set a new mark of 00:06:02, while Wong Xin En emerged victorious after clocking 00:05:54, in their respective 1,200m events.
The Junior Development Programme featured eight categories including for those under the age of nine.
“JDP has come a long way since 2006,” said RWAM deputy chairman Khoo Chong Beng.
“It has become a special event for junior athletes and is much sought after as a platform to learn and improve skills, as well as to prepare for the 2024 MSSM (inter-school sports meet), Malaysia Games or international competitions.”
The event featured eight categories, comprising men’s and women’s open, boys and girls under-15, under-12 and under-9, with race distances ranging from 800m to 5,000m.
The top five in each category were awarded medals and cash prizes.
The event saw 102 walkers taking part in distances up to 5,000m.
Khoo extended the association’s gratitude to Youth and Sports Ministry and Rakan Muda for their strong support.
“Special appreciation also goes to our official drink sponsor Nestle Malaysia for providing T-shirts, medals and Milo drinks to all participating walkers and MKH as official partner,” he added.
MKH general manager of corporate communications Christina Chen was present to give away prizes.
Over the years, RWAW has helped to develop professional race walkers like Elena Goh, a SEA Games gold medallist and Muhammad Fakhrul Razi Jailani.
