iM4U Sentral to be youth development hub

The 1Malaysia For Youth (iM4U) programme which was launched more than three years ago has moved another step forward in its youth development activities with the establishment of iM4U Sentral.

Sited on 2.25 hectares in Puchong, Selangor, iM4U Sentral will serve as thehub for youth development with facilities for sports, volunteerism and human capital-related activities.

iM4U Brand director Tan Shyue Wern told Bernama when met, that the complex would have two futsal courts and courts for volley ball, basketball, sepak takraw, besides a gymnasium and wall-climbing structure.

There is also a multi-purpose hall dubbed, 'The Rectangle' which could accommodate 500 people, he said.

He said iM4U Sentral which was upgraded from the Rakan Muda Puchong complex in January last year also has a hostel that could accommodate 144 occupants.

"iM4U Sentral will be a youth centre that also encourages unconventional activities inspiring and benefiting the youth and society in the long run," he said, adding that the public could also "rent" the facilities at a rate lower.

Tan said the complex aesthetically accentuated with multi-colours and murals to attract the youth would also be a platform to cultivate volunteerism among them, in the same breath contribute to the development of the community.

He said more than two million volunteers aged between 18 and 60 who are registered with iM4U could utilise the complex to plan and organise their voluntary activities.

The complex located next to the Puchong Industrial Park LRT would be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on April 9, he said.

The prime minister mooted the idea for the iM4U in 2012 to nurture the spirit of volunteerism in the 12.5 million youths in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Persatuan Belia Dinamik Barat chairman Zaharruddin Abd Majid described iM4U Sentral as an acknowledgement and appreciation by the government of the contributions by the youth towards national development.

"The iM4U Sentral concept is very agreeable to the youth and I believe it will give an impact in the development of sports and volunteerism," he said.

He hoped such complex could be built in every state to enable more youths to involve themselves in healthy activities.

Meanwhile, the complex will also serve as the operation centre for radio station, iM4Ufm, to draw youths to the iM4U programme through music.

iM4Ufm director Kartini Kamalul Ariffin said the radio station which started operating more than one year ago does not merely provide entertainment; it also has segments on sports, lifestyle and moral values for youths.

"We also welcome the public particularly students to come and participate in the iM4Ufm school radio programme and learn more about radio broadcasting which is not limited to radio presenters but also involves other casts such as radio engineers," he said.

The radio station which can be accessed through frequency 107.9 FM in Klang Valley has more than 53,000 listeners, mostly teenagers aged 19 and below.