‘Youth wings play key role in getting young folks involved in community work’

KAPIT: The youth wings of various Chinese clan associations play a major role in encouraging the young generation to be involved in more social and community programmes.

In stating this Kelvin Saw, the Youth chief of Kapit Chiang Chuan Association, believed that through active involvement in these activities, the youths would understand the importance of supporting their local communities and being a component of social development

“Many of today’s youths seem to lack the enthusiasm when it comes to social work and community services.

“This is where the youth wings of various Chinese clan associations play an important role in getting the youths to be more involved in such activities.

“I am very happy that Youth wings of Kapit Foochow Association, Kapit Chiang Chuan Association and Kapit Kwang Tung Association have taken part in this inter-team badminton competition organised by the Youth wing of Kapit Chiang Chuan Association,” he said at gathering held at a restaurant here on Monday evening.

Saw said the badminton event did not only highlight the importance of having an active lifestyle and being engaged in healthy activities like sports and games, but also served as a platform for the participants to foster friendship and enhance their social communications.

“I also hope that this badminton competition would herald a new chapter for the Chinese youths from different clans to come together and be involved in many more activities in the future – not just badminton, as there are many other sports and social activities that can be conducted,” he said.

Saw also suggested that for next year, the Youth wings of the local Foochow, Chiang Chuan and Kwang Tung clan groups should each host at least one event where they would invite the other two to participate.

“This way, we would open more opportunities for our youths to socialise with one another.

“It can be any event – futsal, basketball, swimming, Chinese chess or even a Chinese calligraphy challenge,” he added.

(Front, from left) Saw holding hands with his counterparts from the Kapit Kwang Tung and Kapit Foochow associations Kong Sien Kiong and Ting King Yiing, respectively, during a photo-call. Behind the three are (from left) Kapit Chiang Chuan Association – Youth Wing advisor Tan Kian Kiong, together with local Chinese community leaders Kapitan Yiap Yii Hoo and Kapitan Ling Hung Pin.