Over 5,000 take part in run
Published on: Monday, August 26, 2024
Phoong and invited guests pose with over 5,000 participants before the start of the run.
Kota Kinabalu: The development of sports and culture is increasingly flourishing and becoming an integral part of daily life and culture.
Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe said this undoubtedly helps improve health levels and brings positive impacts to physical and mental well-being.
ADVERTISEMENT
Phoong, who represented Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor on Sunday morning as the guest of honour for the JOM! Malaysia-China 2024 run event, said this after the run’s opening ceremony.
He said post-pandemic, especially in the past two months, the Olympic Games and the Malaysian Games have demonstrated that sports are widely popular among the public.
Phoong, who is also Luyang assemblyman, said this year’s event, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations, was on a larger scale than before, with over 5,000 participants.
“It has become one of the largest running events in the locality, reflecting the growing importance of this activity.
ADVERTISEMENT
“This also showcases the positive response from the local community towards the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations,” he said.
Phoong added that both he and the government fully support such events, and Malaysia-China Friendship Association Sabah.
ADVERTISEMENT
At the same time, Dr Oh Ei Sun, President of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association Sabah, said that in line with the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations, the association will organise various activities throughout the year to promote the friendship between the two countries.
“The Malaysia-China Friendship Association has been organising the Malaysia-China Friendship Run since 2018.
“This year marks the 5th year, attracting over 5,000 participants. We are grateful for the support from the Sabah state government and the Chinese Consulate in Kota Kinabalu.
“We will continue to organise more events, including expanding the Malaysia-China Friendship Run to China. In April, we co-organised the 2024 Zhaoqing Half Marathon and Malaysia-China Friendship Run, and in October, we will hold a similar event in Shanghai,” said Dr Oh.
He said the association also hopes to continue hosting events in Sabah and various locations in China next year to further strengthen the bond between Malaysia and China.
Following the successful completion of the event, he said the organisers also distributed over RM200,000 worth of prizes, sponsored by the well-known sports and leisure brand Skechers, to lucky draw winners.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities Malaysia cum Kota Kinabalu MP Datuk Chan Foong Hin, special guest Deputy Consul-General Ou Yang, represented the Consul-General of The People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu Dr Huang Shifang, Assistant Minister of Finance of Sabah Tan Lee Fatt, Chairman of Sabah Development Bank Berhad cum Tanjong Papat Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung, Permanent Secretary for Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah Datuk Christina Liew representative Josie Lai, President of The Sabah United Chinese Chambers Commerce Datuk Michael Lui, Honorary President of Malaysia-China Friendship Association Sabah who is also President of Hokkien Association Kota Kinabalu Datuk Clement Yeh, Honorary President of Malaysia-China Friendship Associaton Sabah and Director of Kilang Papan Hiong Tiong Sdn Bhd Datuk Sia Hiong Tee, Honorary President of Malaysia-China Friendship Association Sabah and Managing Director of MP Machinery (M) Sdn Bhd Datuk Ting Huat Kiing, Honorary President of Malaysia-China Friendship Association Sabah cum Director of Woodford Solari (Sabah) Datuk Dr.Yeo Boon Hai, Legal Advisor of Malaysia-China Friendship Association Sabah Datuk Seri Teo Chee Kang, among others.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
