Malaysians celebrate National Sports Day

Keeping fit: Students showing the way to a healthy lifestyle during the event at Dataran Putrajaya.

PUTRAJAYA: About 15,000 students thronged Dataran Putrajaya to celebrate the Education Ministry’s fitness programme.

Its deputy minister Teo Nie Ching launched the programme that was held in conjunction with National Sports Day.

She said the ministry was aware of the importance of shaping active and healthy individuals to aid in the development of a country.

“The fitness programme ensures that various activities are carried out on multiple levels.

“It is also in line with the ministry’s One Student, One Sport fitness programme to motivate students to be active in sports,” she said during the launch yesterday.

The National Sports Day is held on the second Saturday of October each year.

In Iskandar Puteri, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said Bukit Aman will be coming up with a plan to encourage more officers and personnel to be actively involved in sports.

He said the police have always given their focus and attention towards sports and recreational activities as they would allow officers and personnel to maintain good health.

“In the last SEA Games and Asian Games, 30 of our national athletes came from the police force, representing the country in cycling, body building, shooting and athletics,” Mohamad Fuzi said after launching the police-level National Sports Day which was held at Puteri Harbour yesterday.

In Kuala Terengganu, about 12,000 people participated in the state-level celebration at Batu Buruk Square.

People of all ages gathered at the square as early as 7am to participate in various activities which include a 5km Fun Run, e-sports and traditional games.

In Ipoh, Perak Sports Committee chairman Howard Lee said people could try cycling to work, taking the stairs and also parking the car a bit further to walk to the office to stay healthy.

“Even housewives could do some healthy lifestyle activities as part of their chores in the kitchen,” he said when opening the state-level National Sports Day at the state Youth and Sports Complex.