A SPIRIT of togetherness prevailed as over 5,000 participants from all walks of life and different races took part in the ‘I Love Penang Walk’ 2019 at Lebuh Pantai (Beach Street) in George Town today.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow joined them for the 5km fun walk together with state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng, Penang Island City Council councillor Wong Yuee Harng and TLM Event managing director Jack Wong.
Chow said the ‘I Love Penang Walk’ 2019, which was held for the third time, was part of the ‘Sports For All’ programme undertaken by the state government and also in conjunction with the sixth anniversary celebration of Occupy Beach Street.
“The Occupy Beach Street is an initiative that was started six years ago for a Car-Free Day so that people can gather at the area for activities and to experience the beauty of the city.
“To celebrate this beautiful morning with the ‘I Love Penang Walk’, I hope you all will enjoy the walk around the world heritage site,” Chow said in his short speech before flagging off the walkers.
Along the way, Chow was asked by participants for wefies and he duly obliged them.
The participants soaked in the sights and sounds of the heritage area, taking photos as they walked along the route.
Some took the opportunity to stop by the recently rejuvenated Sia Boey, the first urban archaeological park in Malaysia, for more photos.
Its canal, which has some fishes like tilapia and koi, was one of the main attractions there. For the children, they headed to the playground for some fun.
Some of the participants were spotted pushing their young ones in strollers. Among them was one couple, Dr Chandroth Navin, 36, a forensic pathologist from Penang Hospital, and his wife, Neshallini, an English teacher at Han Chiang High School, and their one-year-and-five-month-old daughter Sashanna Chandroth.
“We lead busy lives and today’s event was an opportunity for us to spend some quality family time together whilst taking a leisurely-paced stroll through George Town heritage area,” said Dr Chandroth.
“It was indeed delightful to see people from all walks of life coming together, taking pictures and just having fun. We intend to make this a regular family activity and have already begun to look for the next event to participate in.”
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Nur Afiqah Zainudi
Video by Chan Kok Kuan
