Health and Unity Through Sports

By Ady Faizal bin Adlin Murtadza

 

KUALA LUMPUR – Youth and Sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin wants to change Malaysia from a “sports loving nation” to a “sporting nation.”

The government has introduced the FitMalaysia movement (www.fit.my), which is a national programme.

Under this movement, activities which include cycling, running, self-defence and fitness will be conducted at each state.

During the launch, Khairy said he hopes half of the Malaysian population will be active in sports within the next four to five years through this movement.

He said there were plans to conduct the FitMalaysia event twice a year in each state.

Studies conducted by a British medical journal, The Lancet, showed that Malaysia rated highest among Asian countries for obesity.

Khairy said with the arrival of FitMalaysia, the nation can become a healthier country.

He also believes that if Malaysians are more active in sports, it will deepen the pool of new talents for Malaysia’s sports elites.

At least 15,000 people attended the FitMalaysia event at Dataran Merdeka.