Charity run to fund ‘ice queens’ to Antarctica
SHAH ALAM: The Antarctica Charity Run 2018 was anything but icy as Malaysians warmed up to race for a common cause – sending five “ice queens” to the continent in November.
Organised by the All Women Expedition To Antarctica 2018 (Aweta), the run was aimed at generating funds to support the team’s expedition to the South Pole.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the run was a shining example of an event that promoted unity among Malaysians across all racial lines.
It was an excellent manifestation of unity as many people from various ethnic groups, including international participants, joined the run, he said.
“As a multiracial nation, in my opinion, most events tend to be too focused on ethnicity. This should be avoided,” Dr Ahmad Zahid said after flagging off 2,300 runners at the Karangkraf Media Group Complex here yesterday.
“The spirit of unity should be translated into all forms of activities.”
Also present was Karangkraf Media Group CEO Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacub, national polar explorer and Aweta 2018 mentor Dr Sharifah Mazlina Syed Abdul Kadir and its project director Datuk Noorizah Abd Hamid.
Aweta 2018 is a mission to find five “ice queens” or protégés who will be given the mission of scaling the South Pole.
They would be protégés of “Ice Queen” Dr Sharifah Mazlina, who buried a time capsule there during her expedition in 2004, said Noorizah.
“Their mission will be to retrieve the time capsule and bury a new one containing the aspirations for Transformation 2050.”
The aim is to collect US$1mil (RM3.9mil) for the expedition covering logistics, training, equipment and attire.
“This is one of the activities we’re doing to generate funds. We’ll also approach sponsors to get their support,” said Noorizah.
Dr Sharifah Mazlina said the roadshow to recruit protégé hopefuls, which started in September, would continue until the end of this month to other locations, including Sabah and Sarawak.
The selection semi-finals next month will see 30 people going through challenges in an eight- week reality show, after which five candidates and two reserves will be chosen.
“They will undergo training with me for five months in and out of the country, after which we will depart for Antarctica in November,” she said.
Dr Sharifah Mazlina conquered the South Pole in 2004 and the North Pole some three years later, creating history as the first Asian woman to do so.