HSN2022 celebrated with renewed excitement after two-year lapse

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Sports Day (HSN2022) was celebrated nationwide today in exuberance and full of excitement due to the ability to be attend such celebrations physically after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The celebration was not held in 2020 and held in a hybrid form in 2021.

This time around, the HSN was more meaningful as events such as running, cycling and aerobics returned to 'colour' the celebration in addition to the fact that participants no longer needed to wear face mask like in the past.

In KUALA LUMPUR, about 200 staff and police personnel of Istana Negara joined an aerobics session as early as 7.40 am followed by jungle trekking and a 'fun walk' for three to 3.5 km to celebrate the HSN2022.

Istana Negara grand chamberlain Datuk Azuan Effendy Zairakitnaini while officiating the programme said HSN2022, organised by Istana Negara's police branch as well as the palace's Welfare and Sports Club, took into account the importance of maintaining the fitness level of staff in order to provide the best service to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in addition to wanting to strengthen fellowship among staff members.

In PERAK, the state-level HSN2022 celebration began at 6.30 am at Padang Polo, Ipoh and was attended by about 5,000 participants.

Cycling and running were among activities held while the event was officiated by Perak Rural, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee chairman Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharuddin and in attendance was State Youth and Sports Department Director Mohd Soufi Mohd Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, bank officer Mohd Faliq Amin, 38, when met by Bernama said he and his family were excited about such a programme because they often engaged in sporting events together, especially over the weekend.

HSN, celebrated yearly on the second Saturday of October, has been organised since 2015 as a government effort to encourage the people to adopt a fit and active lifestyle in line with the desire to turn Malaysia into a 'Sporting Nation'.

In KELANTAN, Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob, who joined hundreds of participants in celebrating HSN2022 at the Mydin Mall supermarket, in Tunjong, Kota Bharu said the state government always supported sports activities because it inculcates a healthy lifestyle that can prevent youth from being involved in social problems.

In JOHOR, State Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development, Cooperatives and Human Resources Committee chairman, Mohd Hairi Mad Shah said the HSN2022 celebration at the Johor Bahru City Square was very meaningful following the achievements and success of the state, especially in the sports at the national and international levels.

"For me, this is the day we celebrate and recognise the success of teams, contingents and athletes who had represented Johor.

"At the same time, the state government through Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi's administration is also aware of the importance of developing new talent to produce future champions in sports to avoid a talent crunch in Johor," he said.

In PERLIS, the HSN2022 celebration at Dataran Dato Sheikh Ahmad, Kangar which was officiated by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man was attended by about 5,000 visitors. Among the activities held were aerobics, cycling, street soccer, 3 on 3 basketball and interactive quiz.

In NEGERI SEMBILAN, the HSN2022 celebration at Dataran Seri Jempol in conjunction with the Malaysian Family Aspiration Tour started with a 4.5 km Fun Walk attended by more than 2,000 participants and followed by wushu, karate, silat, muay thai, cycling, wellness and fitness events organised by the Health Ministry.

In TERENGGANU, the HSN2022 celebration was enlivened by the 'Ride Kayuhan Terengganuku Comey 2.0' programme from Dataran Batu Buruk in Kuala Terengganu to Bandar Baru Kuala Nerus. The event was attended by more than 1,000 participants. Other events held included beach volleyball, beach running and Sports Carnival 'Inspire for People with a disability' (OKU).

In PENANG, visitor Khairul Anuar Mohd Kamil, 42, said he brought along his wife and three children so as to not miss the opportunity to participate in the HSN2022 celebration at Vision Park, Bertam because he believed it was the best platform to foster the spirit of unity among people.

In SELANGOR, the state-level HSN2022 celebrations started as early as 7am at Dataran Kemerdekaan Shah Alam and was attended by about 5,000 participants. The event held various types of traditional sports, as well as exhibitions and sales events.

In MELAKA, a drizzle did not dampen the spirit of more than 1,000 participants involved in the HSN2022 celebration at the Masjid Tanah Sports Complex, with various events held such as silat, silambam, archery, futsal and wushu.

Apart from the Masjid Tanah Sports Complex, events including Mega Aerobics Challenge, 5KM Fun Run, roller skating, extreme sports, zumba, and e-sports were also held simultaneously in several locations in Melaka Tengah, Jasin and Alor Gajah districts.

In KEDAH, State Tourism, Arts and Culture, Youth and Sports, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee chairman Mohd Firdaus Ahmad hoped, through HSN new talent (athletes) will be unearthed among the disabled who can represent the state and country in the future.

Meanwhile, in PAHANG, the HSN received a rousing response with the presence of more than 120,000 visitors from various walks of life joining in the various events that were organised.

State Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Hussain said the event involving all 11 districts in Pahang had started yesterday and continue for three days.

He added that the opening ceremony which took place in Kuantan today, saw 16 sporting events being held including netball, volleyball, aerobics, karate, badminton and rope jumping.

-- BERNAMA