TAWAU: Nearly 9,000 people of all ages and backgrounds took part in the state-level National Sports Day (HSN) celebration at the Tawau Sports Complex on Saturday.
The event featured several main activities, including the ‘Berjalan Ria Madani’ (2km fun walk), ‘Larian Ria Madani’ (5km fun run) and ‘Kayuhan Ria Madani’ (7.4km fun ride), all of which were open to the public free of charge.
The event was officiated and flagged off by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Alfred Angin, who represented Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Speaking to reporters after the opening ceremony, Ellron said he was delighted by the overwhelming turnout and hoped such healthy activities would be held regularly, not just occasionally, to promote public fitness and well-being.
Earlier, Ellron delivered Hajiji’s speech, in which the Chief Minister expressed his hope that the Sabah Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBSS) would continue developing sports in the State and producing athletes capable of bringing pride to Malaysia on the international stage.
“I also urge everyone in the State to make full use of the sports facilities available to maintain and improve our physical fitness,” Hajiji said.
He said such efforts would support the government’s aim of making sports a way of life and promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports and fitness activities.
Hajiji added that the celebration of National Sports Day reflected the government’s commitment to recognising the importance of sports in building an active, productive and united society.
“Sports are not only a platform to encourage a culture of recreation and fitness among the people but also an avenue to strengthen inclusivity and unity across racial and religious lines,” he said.
He said that this aligns with the objectives of the National Sports Policy, which aims to reinforce the sporting culture among Malaysians to foster a disciplined and united society.
Hajiji also said the Ministry of Youth and Sports has prepared an official National Sports Day module featuring a variety of sporting activities to record public participation and highlight Sabahans’ active involvement in sports.
Also present at the event were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Datuk Mansur Asun; Deputy Director of the Sabah Youth and Sports Department (Development) Noorman Ramlan; and Tawau Municipal Council President Joseph Pang.
