THE spirit of unity and patriotism shone bright this morning as Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow welcomed athlete and coach Ahmed Faisal Mohd Lazim at the Esplanade. The event marked the completion of his gruelling 68km solo walk in conjunction with Malaysia’s 68th Merdeka celebration.
The event, organised by the Stay Fit Sunnah Sports Club, began yesterday evening at about 5pm from the same venue before concluding at 8am today.
Chow commended Faisal for his perseverance and dedication, calling the initiative both meaningful and symbolic.
“I am truly grateful that we can gather on this bright morning, not only to bask in the sunshine but also in the spirit of unity and love for the country.
“This is a very meaningful programme, the 68km Solo Walk in celebration of Malaysia’s 68th Independence Day,” Chow said.
He praised Stay Fit Sunnah Sports Club under Faisal’s leadership, the organising team, sponsors, and strategic partners for successfully hosting the event.
“This event is not just about sports; it reflects loyalty, love, and the patriotic spirit of the club.
“The 68km distance covered by Faisal is more than a physical challenge, it is a symbolic gesture of our nation’s 68 years of independence.
walk.
“I applaud Faisal for dedicating this walk to our beloved country, his late parents, friends, and family,” Chow added.
Faisal, who powered through rain and leg pain during the last 18km in Tanjung Bungah, described the journey as a tribute to his late parents.
“I have been active in this for years, but my parents are no longer here to witness it. God loves them more, and this walk is dedicated to them.
“I also want to thank Brooks for sponsoring my shoes and attire. Despite the pain in my legs, the quality shoes helped me complete this run,” he said.
He added that his determination to finish came from his commitment to Chow, his friends, and his family.
Speaking on the inspiration behind the initiative, Faisal said sports are his way of expressing patriotism.
“I can only do sports to show my love for my country.
“Health is wealth. I want to promote a healthy lifestyle, eat well, exercise, and take care of my health,” he stressed.
The endurance walk, both symbolic and personal, highlighted not only the nation’s independence milestone but also the importance of health, resilience, and community spirit.
Also present earlier were Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, and Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat