MORE than 1,200 participants from all walks of life braved the wet weather to join the 6km Olympic Day Bendang Fun Walk in Balik Pulau this morning.
In view of the annual World Olympic Day celebration, Penang has been chosen to host such a remarkable event.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, on behalf of the state government, thanked the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) for choosing Penang to host such a prestigious event.
He said the 6km walk was one of the long-awaited events ever since the Olympic Carnival Community Penang 2022 took place in the state on May 15 this year.
The Olympic Carnival Community Penang 2022 has a total of nine programmes from May 15 to June 23 to promote an active lifestyle.
“The trust and recognition given to us will motivate us to produce more young athletes in the future.
“It is important for us regardless of race and religion to join in to promote togetherness after two years of hiatus due to pandemic.
“Let us enjoy the scenic view of Balik Pulau during the walk. I am sure that such a programme will provide a huge impact on the development of the sport,” he said in his speech before flagging off the event at Balik Pulau Sports Complex.
Chow and those present also joined in the walk.
Earlier, OCM president Tan Sri Dr Mohamad Norza Zakaria said he was delighted to attend the event in Penang.
“It is a great collaboration with the state to hold a series of programmes and spread the Olympic values to the communities.
“We hope to bring the people together through sports,” he said.
Also present were state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee, state Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, Chow’s political-secretary Teh Lai Heng, who is also Komtar assemblyman, State Deputy Speaker Datuk Amar Pritpal Abdullah, Balik Pulau MP Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik, Pulau Betong assemblyman Mohd Tuah Ismail, OCM vice-president Datuk Chong Kim Fatt, OCM secretary-general Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin Mohd Najib, Penang State Sports Council (PSSC) director Harry Chai and other distinguished guests.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Law Suun Ting