Khairy, Thai counterpart flag off Thailand's leg of 'Rising Together Baton Run'

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin joined participants of Thailand's leg of the "Rising Together Baton Run" in conjunction with this year's Kuala Lumpur SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games 2017 here today.

Despite a slight drizzle, he joined his Thai counterpart Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul in flagging off the participants for the 24km run in front of the Huamark Indoor Stadium, here.

"Despite requesting each country to organise a 10km Baton Run, the longest run with the most participants has been Thailand, our closest neighbour," he said during the opening ceremony of the Baton Run today.

This, he said, showed the close and intimate relationship enjoyed by Malaysia and Thailand as the two neighbours celebrated their 60th anniversary of bilateral relationship this year.

Malaysia said Khairy, looked upon Thailand in terms of sporting excellence as the country had won so many gold medals at the highest level of sporting competitions.

Nevertheless, he promised that Malaysia will give Thailand's athletes a run for their money during the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games this August and the ASEAN Para Games in September.

In expressing his thanks to Thailand for successfully organising the baton run, the minister also invited Thais to come to Kuala Lumpur to witness and support their teams during the two ultimate sporting events in the Southeast Asian region.

The 29th SEA Games and 8th ASEAN Para Games, branded as "Kuala Lumpur 2017" will be held from Aug 19-31 and Sept 17-23 respectively.

The next leg of the "Rising Together Baton Run" will be held in Vietnam this month.

Meanwhile, Kobkarn in her speech during the opening ceremony, said sports should be celebrated and participated by everyone and not be constrained by any political beliefs.

Malaysia's effort in organising the first Baton Run throughout the region in the run up to the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games should be commended and hoped it will be continued by the other organisers, she said.

Also present during the ceremony were Malaysian ambassador to Thailand Datuk Nazirah Hussain and Sports Authority of Thailand governor Sakon Wannapong. -- Bernama