‘Amazing Race’ out to encourage female civil servants to be fitter
KUCHING: The ‘Amazing Race’, an annual programme run by the women’s division of the Malaysian Government Servants’ Welfare and Sports Council (Maksak) Sarawak, sets out to encourage female civil servants to be fitter and lead active lifestyle.
This year’s competition was held yesterday, involving 50 allwomen teams – each comprising five members.
Representing various ministries, governmental departments and agencies, the teams gathered at the Old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building in Petra Jaya before heading out to Damai Beach Resort in Santubong, completing numerous tasks along the way and also getting to explore more closely the historical places around city.
In addition, the contestants were treated to pizzas, courtesy of Yayasan Sarawak, during their first pitstop at Wisma Adenan, at Jalan Sultan Tengah here.
State Secretary Dato Sri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, also the chairman of Maksak Sarawak, flagged off the race at the old DUN Sarawak building, while Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taip who is patron of Maksak Sarawak Women, officiated at the closing ceremony in Damai Beach Resort.
In a statement, Maksak Sarawak Women honorarysecretary Norhayati Mornie said the ‘Amazing Race’ meant to foster better team spirit and closer ties among all state and federal civil servants regardless of grades.
“The competition also encourages female civil servants to exercise, as well as to evaluate their stamina, time management and ‘brain power’ to come out with answers from the clues given in each task,” she said.
“We are aware that some female civil servants lack the opportunity to exercise in groups due to their heavy workloads, on top of their daily family matters.
“The recent inflation has also caused further mental stress and thus, we encourage female civil servants to exercise to release some of that pressure, in line with our slogan, ‘Healthy Body, Sharp Mind, Increased Productivity’,” added Norhayati.
The top 10 teams received cash prizes, while hampers were given to the winners of various categories of the competition.