KOTA KINABALU: More than 5,000 people packed into Hockey Stadium at the LIkas Sports Complex here today to participate in the Jom Malaysia-China Run.
The event was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of friendship and diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.
The run was flagged off by Sabah’s Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe.
In his speech, Phoong, representing the Chief Minister of Sabah, said that such running events are becoming increasingly popular and are well-received by the public, especially in Kota Kinabalu.
He highlighted that this is a positive sign, particularly in celebrating the 50 years of friendship and diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Phoong said that more people are embracing sports as a regular part of life, especially after the recent attention from the Olympics and the Malaysia Games (Sukma) on social media.
He encouraged the public to adopt sports activities for a healthier and more positive lifestyle.
He also expressed gratitude to the Malaysia-China Friendship Association of Sabah for their commitment and success in organising the run.
Meanwhile, Dr. Oh Ei Sun, president of the association, said that various events will be held this year to mark the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations, including the Jom Malaysia-China Run.
He added that a similar run took place in Guangdong in April, and plans are underway for an event in Shanghai next October.
Oh emphasised that the run aims to strengthen friendships between private sectors in both Malaysia and China, particularly in Sabah.
