KUALA LUMPUR: In a bid to turn Malaysia into a sporting and Āhealthier nation, the Government has declared the second Saturday of October every year as National Sports Day.
The inaugural National Sports Day, which aims to attract about three million Malaysians, will be observed on Oct 10.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched the 2015 National Sports Day here yesterday and lauded the Ministry of Youth and Sports for its initiative.
āWe have all kind of celebrations ā Teacherās Day, Police Day and Nursing Day ā but this National Sports Day is one of a kind.
āThatās because it involves mass participation, not by thousands but millions of Malaysians. We have seen how sports has played an important role in helping in nation building,ā he said.
Najib was convinced the Ācelebrations would also serve a major boost for competitive sports.
āOur population is almost the same as Australiaās, but itās obvious we are way behind them in sports,ā stressed Najib.
āBut it doesnāt mean we are not capable. We have produced Āchampions like (former) world badminton No.1 Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Asiaās fastest man Datuk M. Jegathesan, the glorious Malaysian team of the 60s, world squash champion Nicol David and many others.ā
Najib also called on Malaysians to practise a healthy lifestyle.
āChronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and heart attack can be avoided if we all pick up a healthy lifestyle,ā added Najib.
āThis is what the National Sports Day is trying to put emphasis on. Do get involved.
āGod willing, I will take part, too.
āAnd if I can participate, there is no reason why you cannot.ā – Thestar.com.my
