Unite through sports
Learning to be fit also helps contain obesity problem, says PM
Sports can bring Malaysians together, says PM.
We love roti canai, nasi lemak, teh tarik.
We do not like sports. We must learn to love sports. Do not have too much fat in our bodies.
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
KUALA LUMPUR: Sports plays an important unifying role among Malaysia’s different ethnic groups, says Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
He said sports instils solidarity and pointed out that 7.6 million Malaysians had participated in last year’s National Sports Day celebrations.
“This is proof of how sports can bring us closer together and that it transcends political boundaries,” he said in his speech, before launching the National Sports Day at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Among those present at the event was Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Najib also said obesity was a major health concern among Malaysians who love food.
“We love roti canai, nasi lemak, teh tarik. We do not like sports. We must learn to love sports. Do not have too much fat in our bodies,” he said.
Najib said he was also proud the younger generation is always involved in sports and that this is good for the country as the young would lead Malaysia into the future.
The National Sports Day celebrations, which is held on the second Saturday in October annually, is an initiative to make Malaysia a sporting nation.
Earlier in Kuala Selangor, Najib said Malaysia’s social structure was the foundation holding the country together.
He said the pillars of social structure are like those of a house, and if they weren’t strong enough, the whole house would collapse.
“We need to have harmony, tolerance and understanding to enable us to progress forward,” Najib said in his speech before launching the national-level National Blue Ocean Strategy MyBN Gotong Royong 2017 here yesterday.
He emphasised the need for all communities to come together to build the nation.
Najib also announced RM56.7mil allocation to build a 42-classroom school in the area.
“This is Barisan Nasional, we built the nation and we concentrate on what is important to the rakyat.
“We want to see a unified community of all ethnic groups,” he said.