KUALA LUMPUR – The inaugural “Jom Jalan with NPC” programme held today successfully attracted over 200 participants, including former athletes, journalists, youth, and members of the general public.
National Press Club (NPC) president Datuk Ahirudin Attan said the programme, organised in collaboration with the Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur Athletics Association (FTKLAA), aims to help the government and sports bodies cultivate an interest among young people in pursuing sports, particularly athletics, as a career.
“We had over 200 participants for the walk and fun walk… but for a start, we are grateful to have many young people participating. Most importantly, we want to discover young talent by participating in walking events, who knows, we might unearth a future national champion,” he said at the event today, as quoted by Bernama.
He added that the NPC also intends to revive events such as The Malay Mail Big Walk from 1965, which attracted between 10,000 and 12,000 participants at the time, within the next five years.
Ahirudin said that the NPC, being the oldest media club in Malaysia, plans to expand today’s programme by organising walking clinics at the school level.
“We hope that next year we can also hold this programme on a larger scale to attract other sponsors and make it a family event,” said Ahirudin, who is also the group executive director of Big Boom Media, which publishes Scoop.
“We will try to organise a mini concert to draw more interest and open participation to international participants.”
Jom Jalan with NPC featured two main categories: a 10-km competitive walk for men and women and junior boys and girls, and a 5-km fun walk open to all ages starting from seven years old.
The event also saw participation from former national sprinter Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan, Datuk Shahrudin Mohamed Ali, president of the Malaysian Olympians Association Noraseela Mohd Khalid, former national race walker Mohamed Shahrulhaizy Abdul Rahman, and artist Ahirine Ahirudin. – June 2, 2024