By John T
KOTA KINABALU: The JOM! Malaysia-China Friendship Run 2025 will begin on Sunday morning (27 July) with more than 5,500 registered participants.
To participate in this yearly festival, all registered participants are encouraged to arrive to the Kota Kinabalu Padang Merdeka before the event starts.
Dr. Oh Ei Sun, president of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association Sabah—the event organiser—reminded the public that guests of honour will begin arriving around 6:00am, followed by a brief warm-up session.
The flag-off is scheduled for 6:30 am, and upon completing the run at 8:30 am, participants can look forward to the much-anticipated lucky draw session. The entire event is expected to conclude by 10:00 am.
This year, both the starting and finishing points will be at Padang Merdeka. Runners will follow a route along Likas Bay, turning back at the Bay 21 roundabout. The event’s Guest of Honour is Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Hajiji Haji Noor.
Dr. Oh also announced a lineup of distinguished guests expected to attend, including Hannah Yeoh, Minister of Youth and Sports, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities; Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew, Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment; Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Sabah Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship; Datuk Richard Yong, Deputy Speaker of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly; and Tan Lee Fatt, Sabah Assistant Minister of Finance.
Additionally, H.E. Zhu Xinglong, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, will join Dr. Oh Ei Sun and the distinguished guests in flagging off the run.
Dr. Oh took the opportunity to extend his gratitude to the Sabah State Government, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Consulate General of China in Kota Kinabalu, Lembaga Sukan Sabah, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew, Tan Lee Fatt, Datuk Frankie Poon, and the many sponsors supporting the event.
Platinum Sponsor: Skechers; Gold Sponsor: Borneo Timber S/B; Silver Sponsors: Datuk Chan Foong Hin, Azam Jaya Berhad, Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel, Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Monokolo Boutique Hotel, MP Machinery (M) S/D, Deevin Development S/B, Crest Megaway S/B, Hokkian Association Kota Kinabalu, WSG Properties S/B.
Bronze Sponsors: Berjaya Corporation Berhad, PowerChina, SinaLand, Sense Vacation S/B, Teck Guan Holding S/B, TCT Trading S/B, Kilang Papan Hiong Tiong S/B, Bubblegarm Holdings, TSN Enterprise S/B, EConMech S/B, Universal Chery, Kota Kinabalu Foochow Association, Cahaya Metro S/B, and Syarikat Lui Kim Chock S/B.
Beverage Sponsors: DESA Group of Companies, Moma Drinking Water, Life Water Marketing Sdn Bhd (Tritonic Drinks), Regal Marketing & Trading S/B (Indocafe), and B Project Academy Holding S/B.
He also thanked the association’s honorary presidents, all supporting individuals and organisations, and the media for their publicity efforts.
With everyone’s support, the number of participants has now exceeded 5,500.
