Source: robwilson39
Sport participation among youth in Penang is paramount for fostering a healthy lifestyle. However, a study conducted in 2022 revealed that the sports participation trend among Malaysians could be better, with only around 50% engaging in physical activities.
Based on the study conducted in 2022 found that the sports participation trend among Malaysians is not satisfactory. Based on the analysis from 2018 to 2020, the percentage of physically inactive among Malaysians is still high despite activities such as jogging, badminton, futsal, cycling, walking, and hiking have become the preference of the Malaysian Population since 2018 until now. [1]
Having said that, it is time to upgrade any sports-related activities, and Penang has been promoting a healthy lifestyle as a way of life ever since. There are many sporting events held in Penang such as City Ride, City Walk, LovePENANG, Love Penang Run, Esport Championship, Glo-Walk, Penang Hill Heritage Forest Challenge, Penang Fellowship Ride, and Bendang Run Balik Pulau have attracted thousands of participants.
Penang also hosts the famous Penang Bridge International Marathon (PBIM). The run is organised by the Penang State Tourism Development Office and fully supported by the Penang State Government. The Penang Bridge International Marathon (PBIM) has been an anticipated run in Malaysia since its inception in 1986.
Sports participation is an effective tool for social integration embracing the Madani concept of racial harmony. Besides, one can benefit from sports, improving physical fitness, building positive character, fostering self-control, increasing self-confidence, and acquiring social experiences.
Hence, increasing awareness and participation in physical activities among the youth is necessary to cultivate their interest towards sports including making sports an industry that provides opportunities and careers in related fields in line with the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) targets to become a “Sporting Nation” by 2025.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow was present to inaugurate the 32nd Annual Athletics Championship at Perai Secondary School (SMK) on 22 July 2023. At the same event, Chow also announced that the state would look into the request of SMK Perai and consider allocation assistance to help the school with the necessary facilities.
Youth should be encouraged by parents and educational institutions to actively participate in extracurricular activities, as it adds value and contributes significantly to their journey towards achieving excellence
It is time to bring back the glory of our national athletes, like Datuk Nicole David, an eight-time world champion who hails from Penang, now retired from professional squash, established Nicol David Organisation (NDO) at the Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Resort in Kuala Lumpur. She currently coaches children aged seven to eight in squash, fostering their interest in sports. Nicol has exciting plans to expand NDO to other states, with Penang first on her priority list.
Footnote:
[1] Elumalai, G., Mamat, S., Ponnusamy, V., Aman, M. S., & Arisah, F. M. (2022). The sports participation trend among Malaysians by gender, ethnic and age group. International Journal of Acdemic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 11(1), 994–1002.