Kota Kinabalu: The 2024 Basic Swimming Class (KLAS) programme was officially launched by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh at the Penampang Sports Complex swimming pool on Sunday.
Some 40 senior citizens attended the free programme initiated by the Youth and Sports Ministry which was first launched on May 13, 2023.
She congratulated all the participants and said the main purpose of the programme is to ensure swimming can be learned by all levels of the community as well as unearthing raw talents.
“My main wish is for our children in the B40 group to be exposed to this sport. This is because I am aware of the constraints faced by these parents who can’t afford to put their children in swimming training/class, some may not have access to any swimming pool at all,” she said.
According to her, the programme last year attracted a total of 6,646 participants with 6,566 children, 40 from the OKU groups and 40 elderly people held in hotspots where cases of flood and drowning frequent occurred.
“Swimming is not just a sport. It is a skill that can save lives. We often hear sad news about people whether seniors or children become victims of drowning in river, beach or pond during floods,”
She added that based on the positive feedback, the government has approved RM3.6 million in Budget 2024.
She said the provision is intended to expand the implementation of the programme this year to 8,880 people with 7,680 children B40 (6-12 years), 600 disabled (6-15 years old) and 600 senior citizens (60-75 years old).
The Minister also expressed her gratitude to all the sponsors including Allianz Malaysia Berhad for sponsoring insurance to 8,880 participants, Nestle Products Sdn.
Bhd. for sponsorship drinks worth RM60,000, Decathlon Malaysia for sponsorship equipment with a total value of RM412,680 and Pos Malaysia Berhad for sponsorship the delivery of equipment and materials worth RM59,000.
