Oct 5, 2015

MISI TURUNKAN BERAT BADAN

Sekeras mana seseorang itu cuba menafikan, penampilan tubuh badan memainkan peranan penting di dalam mencorakkan kehidupan seseorang. Penampilan tubuh badan boleh diliputi dari aspek luaran seperti ciri-ciri wajah, bau badan, dan sifat-sifat fizikal yang lain, contohnya sifat yang tampak terserlah di mata kasar. 

Di Malaysia, kemelut dengan berat badan bukanlah satu konsep baru, dengan Malaysia dikenalpasti sebagai satu dari negara Asia yang mempunyai kadar obesiti tinggi. Dengan angka mereka yang mengalami obes di dalam negara semakin meningkat, Hari Sukan Negara diwujudkan sebagai inisiatif  kerajaan untuk memacu ke arah negara yang lebih sihat.

Begitupun, perjuangan atau cabaran untuk mengatasi masalah berat badan seseorang bukan selalunya satu tugas yang mudah.

Sovita Sonia, jurutera CS berusia 28 tahun berkongsi pengalaman peribadinya berdepan pelbagai kata hinaan tanpa belas berikutan masalah berat badannya : “Berat saya lebih 115kg ketika itu, pada 2012. Melihat pada penimbang, saya tahu saya perlu melakukan sesuatu tentang berat tetapi ia bukan mudah. Apabila kali pertama mula berlari di sekitar taman saya ingat ada lelaki mengejek, 'Dah gemuk, lagi nak lari’?

Kata-kata sindiran mungkin membawa kepada kekecewaan untuk terus berjuang menangani cabaran tetapi bagi seorang ibu dan pensyarah berusia 30 tahun, Elena, persepsi masyarakat dan pandangan sinis menyemarakkan lagi semangatnya untuk meneruskan misi pembaikpulihan menyeluruh terhadap berat badannya.

Untuk mula menjalani gaya hidup yang lebih sihat bukannya mudah, pada ketika di mana seseorang itu mengalami krisis keyakinan yang teruk dan hilang motivasi diri. Tetapi apabila anda mempunyai rakan-rakan berfikiran sama serta berkongsi matlamat dan objektif hidup yang sama, ianya bertindak sebagai faktor pendorong untuk melakukan perubahan. Di kem Daily Muscle, Sovita dan Elena menemui apa yang masing-masing paling perlukan dalam memastikan mereka terus bermotivasi menangani kemelut kecergasan.

Sistem Kawan

“Seperkara mengenai kem ini yang cukup saya suka adalah kami memberi sokongan antara satu sama lain, memberi motivasi satu sama lain, dan membantu satu sama lain untuk melakukan yang terbaik. Jika seorang daripada kami tidak dapat menamatkan larian satu pusingan, semua akan berlari satu lagi pusingan sebagai memberi galakkan kepada kawan tersebut," jelas Sovita.

Rejim senaman

Bukan hanya kem berfokuskan kardio yang menjadi bentuk senaman yang dilalui dua wanita besi ini tatkala Sovita dan Elena turut mengikuti yoga, larian dan mendaki.

“Saya bersenam dari Isnin, Rabu, Khamis, dan Jumaat, secara kasarnya selama sejam buat yang berat dan sejam lagi lakukan yoga. Saya cuba adunkannya dengan Zumba. Pada hujung minggu, saya pergi berjogging atau mendaki bersama kawan. Tapi untuk Hari Sukan Negara, saya rasa saya akan cuba marathon”

Bergelar ibu, Elena berkata ianya bukan mudah meninggalkan anaknya untuk menghadiri senaman. “Sebelum ada anak, mudah untuk sertai kelas di kem dan luangkan masa memberi semangat satu sama lain dan berbual-bual. Tetapi sekarang, keutamaan berubah dan saya cuba luangkan lebih masa bersama anak. Jadi satu daripada senaman terbaik bagi saya adalah menonton video yoga tersebut dan praktikannya di rumah. Ada ketika dia sertai ibunya lakukan yoga!”

Pelan Pemakanan

Seperti kata pakar, badan yang cantik adalah dibentuk dari 10% senaman dan 90% pemakanan yang baik. Cabaran terbesar bagi Sovita dan Elena apabila ia berkenaan pemakanan sudah tentunya masalah yang turut sama dihadapi semua rakyat Malaysia lain - singkirkan karbohidrat. Nasi adalah sebahagian keperluan pemakanan, terutamanya di Malaysia, tetapi dua wanita ini membuktikan ia adalah langkah penting untuk turunkan berat.

Menurut Sovita, “Kali terakhir saya mengambil karbohidrat adalah waktu saya menipu dulu. Sebelum saya amalkan penjagaan makanan, saya perlu akui nasi adalah kelemahan utama saya. Saya gemar makan nasi dalam kuantiti yang banyak. Sejak saya tidak lagi ambil karbohidrat, saya sedar akan perubahan pada tubuh badan saya.”

Begitupun, apabila anda adalah satu-satunya di kalangan rakan-rakan yang menjaga pemakanan, akan ada godaan yang kembali mempengaruhi untuk menjadi rakus.

“Saya berterima kasih mempunyai kumpulan kawan-kawan hebat yang cukup suportif terhadap diet saya. Baru-baru ini kami keluar makan malam dan kesemua menjamu tomyam dan nasi, tetapi ia tidak mengganggu saya kerana kawan-kawan saya cukup baik dan pesan versi makanan yang sihat yang sama sedapnya untuk saya."

Disiplin banyak membantu Sovita dan Elena untuk menjaga perancangan diet mereka. Selepas mengharungi pelbagai rejim senaman berat dan menyakitkan serta pengambilan makanan terkawal, adakah ianya berbaloi?

Tegas Sovita, “Sudah tentu ianya sangat berbaloi. Setelah apa yang dilalui, sekarang bila saya lihat diri sendiri saya rasa lebih yakin, dari segi penampilan. Saya kagum dengan keupayaan kecergasan saya. Sebelum ini saya mahu berlari pun tidak boleh tetapi kini saya boleh melakukan marathon. Sebenarnya, apabila bercakap mengenai kecergasan dan menjalani gaya hidup sihat, tidak ada tarikh tertentu. Anda perlu mula sekarang.”

“Saya setuju. Bersenam buatkan saya rasa gembira. Saya sukakan perasaan untuk mencapai perkara baru. Tetapi bagi ibu-ibu baru yang sudah biasa menjalani gaya hidup aktif, buat perubahan secara perlahan-lahan dan jangan terlalu menekan diri sendiri,” ujar Elena, yang telah berjaya menurunkan 30kg dalam tempoh setahun setengah. Ianya bukan mengenai sepantas mana anda capai sasaran atau destinasi anda, tetapi apa yang anda tempuhi dalam perjalanan itu yang dikira.

Misi seorang wanita adalah menjadi pendorong kepada saudara wanita mereka. Ikuti contoh yang sempurna bersama dua wanita cantik ini tatkala mereka terus menjadi inspirasi dan mendorong kita menerusi kisah kejayaan mereka di dalam menjalani gaya hidup yang sihat.

Youth and Sports Ministry launches National Sports Day Sale

The Youth and Sports Ministry has further raised the bar leading up to the National Sports Day with the launch of an exclusive National Sports Day Sale at Mid Valley Megamall and Sunway Pyramid today. Targeted at sports enthusiasts and everyday people, the National Sports Day Sale initiative encourages more Malaysians to gear up for the October 10 event by giving them a window to purchase sporting goods at a discounted rate of up to 50%.

The National Sports Day Sale was officiated by Youth and Sports Minister, YB Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, and will run for a duration of almost one month starting today until October 18.

A total of 12 retail partners will be participating in the Sale including; Reebok, RSH, Asics, Al Ikhsan, Adidas, New Balance, Reebok, Explorer Outfitter, Under Armour, Garmin, UFL and WOS (including Urban Adventure).

YB Khairy Jamaluddin, who visited several sporting goods stores at Mid Valley before doing his rounds at Sunway Pyramid, was proud to announce that lucrative discounts are now available throughout the duration of the sale.

“I am extremely excited that we have such renowned retail outlets joining us to do their part to make the National Sports Day a success.

“I hope that everyone will take this opportunity to buy their sporting apparels at discounted prices so that they can also take part in the various activities we have on offer on October 10,” he said.

Sports enthusiasts will be able to enjoy National Sports Day t-shirts from Brooks at RM69.90 (40% discount). Other products and selected footwear will be available at 25% off.

At Explorer Outfitter outlets in Publika and One City, Explorer and Beaume products are available at 10% discount.

All Al-Ikhsan stores nationwide will be offering 50% off on selected items, while selected Asics products at all Al-Ikhsan stores are also available at 50% cheaper.

World of Sports (WOS) outlets will be carrying 70% discounts storewide except at Johor Premium Outlet, while participating Columbia and Salomon Stores will have 50% sales, but terms and conditions apply.

For Garmin Vivofit and Gaarmin Viofit 2, GST will be waived at their Main Office, Mid Valley, Digital Mall, 1 Utama, Penang, Malacca, Johor and Pahang outlets.

Under Armour stores will be providing 10% discounts on all concept store products from October 9-11.

UFL Products will be available at 20% off at all outlets and participating outlets.

At Royal Sporting House (RSH) and Reebok Stores, there will be a 50% discount on selected items while purchases of RM250 and above in a single receipt will earn you free entry into the premier Spartan Race.

Adidas stores will have special prices for apparel and running shoes.

The Response Questar Running Tee will be RM59 instead of its normal retail price of RM90, while the Response Running Shorts will be available for RM69 instead of RM110.

Sporting enthusiasts will also be able to enjoy discounts of between 10%-50% for selected New Balance items during the sales period.

Set to be a yearly event, National Sports Day will be held every second Saturday of October, with this year set to be its debut.

National Sports Day is an initiative driven by the Youth and Sports Ministry as a proactive measure in the transformation of Malaysia into a sporting nation.

It is hoped that the event will promote a healthier lifestyle amongst Malaysians as well as to recognise sporting talent, increase productivity, generate comprehensive wellness and foster the spirit of unity within the nation.

GAYA HIDUP SEIMBANG KUNCI KEPADA KESIHATAN YANG BAIK

Mengekalkan gaya hidup yang seimbang dapat menjadi aspek penting di dalam membentuk tubuh badan dan minda yang sihat. Dan pemikiran seperti inilah yang dua perenang kebangsaan, Khoo Cai Lin dan Phee Jing En berharap dapat ditanam dalam diri semua rakyat Malaysia menerusi sambutan Hari Sukan Negara 2015 pada 10 Oktober depan.




Menurut laporan The Lancet, jurnal perubatan British pada 2014, 49% wanita dan 44% lelaki di negara ini adalah dalam kategori lebih berat badan. Statistik yang cukup membimbangkan. 

Tetapi ia diburukkan dengan fakta bahawa Malaysia mempunyai kadar obesiti dan diabetes tertinggi di Asia Tenggara dan di kedudukan keenam di rantau Asia Pasifik bagi Obesiti.

Menerusi kenyataan itu, adakah tubuh badan yang langsing semata-mata menjamin seseorang mempunyai tubuh badan yang sihat? Walaupun ianya betul obesiti adalah indikasi yang jelas bagi kesihatan yang teruk, mereka yang tidak termasuk dalam kategori itu silap jika mengabaikan senaman kerana terdapat pelbagai masalah kesihatan lain yang boleh dibawa dengan menjalani gaya hidup yang tidak aktif.

Begitupun, cabaran terbesar bagi kebanyakan orang adalah mereka cenderung untuk mengganggap bersenam sebagai satu tugasan berbanding rutin kehidupan harian. Ini adalah sesuatu yang Khoo dan Phee percaya perlu diatasi oleh rakyat Malaysia dengan apa cara sekalipun.

“Perkara yang penting adalah untuk mengekalkan keseimbangan di antara kerja, kesihatan dan kehidupan sosial. Sebenarnya, bersenam hanya untuk beberapa hari seminggu dapat membawa perubahan yang besar," kata Khoo yang sedang melanjutkan pengajian dalam dua ijazah - Hubungan Awam dan Pemasaran di Universiti Taylor.

Pemenang pingat emas Sukan SEA berusia 18 tahun, Phee turut senada dengan menyatakan bahawa, “Sukan perlu dijadikan bahagian yang penting dalam kehidupan harian kita. Larian pendek atau berjalan di taman kejiranan anda sekitar satu atau dua jam seminggu adalah cara terbaik untuk bermula. Sebagai seorang pelajar, saya cuba untuk mengekalkan gaya hidup seimbang dengan membahagikan masa antara sukan, pelajaran dan keluarga.”

Mencari sumber inspirasi

Apa yang mendorong anda? Sama ada untuk meningkatkan daya tarikan fizikal anda, untuk mengharumkan nama negara di pentas sukan antarabangsa atau untuk kekal sihat demi yang tercinta, pastinya ada sesuatu yang menjadi inspirasi setiap orang. Mencari inspirasi yang tepat untuk memberi anda motivasi adalah azimat yang cukup berguna dalam usaha mencapai sasaran.

“Saya didorong oleh peluang untuk mengharumkan nama negara dan saya seorang yang begitu menggemari renang. Apa sekalipun, permulaan adalah sentiasa sukar, jadi tetapkan sasaran yang realistik dan berusaha untuk mencapainya. Ada yang berdepan masalah untuk naik berat badan manakala ada yang bermasalah menurunkannya. Setiap orang mempunyai masalah. Jangan berputus asa,” jelas Khoo.

Bagi sesetengah seperti Phee, sukan dapat memberikan mereka kebebasan sementara daripada segala masalah di dunia.

“Saya sangat suka berenang. Apabila saya di dalam air, saya berupaya untuk melupakan segalanya seperti tekanan dan tugasan kolej. Ianya hanya saya dan air.”

Masanya bermula sekarang

Dengan Hari Sukan Negara 2015 hanya beberapa minggu sahaja lagi, gadis muda berbakat besar ini percaya ianya adalah peluang terbaik buat kebanyakan rakyat Malaysia untuk memulakan langkah mereka.

“Kempen ini dapat menggalakkan orang ramai untuk bersenam dan mengamalkan gaya hidup yang sihat. Ianya adalah penting untuk kita mempunyai komuniti yang sihat kerana jika tidak, kita tidak akan mampu mencapai potensi penuh kita sebagai sebuah negara," ujar Khoo, yang pernah mengharumkan nama negara pelbagai kejohanan antarabangsa, termasuk mewakili negara di Sukan Olimpik 2008 dan 2012.

Phee, juga melihat inisiatif Kementerian Belia dan Sukan ini sebagai langkah positif untuk masa depan.

“Saya yakin bahawa kempen besar-besaran di seluruh negara ini akan menjadi satu langkah yang hebat untuk menyatukan masyarakat dan menunjukkan mereka sisi menghiburkan aktiviti sukan".

Lebih tiga juta rakyat Malaysia dijangka mengambil bahagian dalam sambutan di seluruh negara dengan lebih 4,435 program sukan dan kecergasan telah dirangka. Antara acara yang ditunggu-tunggu adalah Spartan Race, The Music Run, Triathlon Antarabangsa PD, Score Fitmob, ekspo sukan dan lumba basikal kebangsaan.

MYRAPID CHALLENGE INSPIRES MALAYSIANS TO START MOVING IN THE HYPE OF NATIONAL SPORTS DAY

As Malaysians continue to battle the curse of obesity and health problems, the best method to winning this battle would be to return to the very fundamentals of living healthy – working out.

But as all workouts go, be it running, cycling or in other forms, the key is to start moving.




With the key concept of movement in mind, Prasarana Malaysia Berhad showed its support of the National Sports Day by launching the MyRapid Challenge initiative on Tuesday, Sept 15, at the Bangsar LRT station.

The initiative is basically aimed at encouraging Prasarana’s MyRapid customers to lead and be a part of a healthier lifestyle while taking public transport.

The lively event was officiated by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Khairy Jamaluddin who also unveiled the specially wrapped RapidKL double decker bus in the theme colours of National Sports Day, as a symbol of their support of the initiative.

Khairy was happy that Prasarana had come on board as millions of Malaysians use their services daily.

“I’m very thankful that Prasarana has come on board, as we have an increasing number of Malaysians using the LRT, the buses, and the monorail everyday which makes this the best platform to promote National Sports Day.

“The usage of public transportation here is not only to reduce carbon footprint but also to invite Malaysians to get up and start walking towards a healthier lifestyle.”

Dato’ Azmi Abdul Aziz, President and Group CEO of Prasarana added that a total of 20 RapidKL buses, including one double decker bus, will be specially wrapped to further promote the National Sports Day initiative.

Khairy also introduced the MyRapid Challenge, which requires participants to complete four simple exercises - jumping jacks, push ups, rope skipping and hula hooping - which upon completion, participants are rewarded with free rides on the LRT, Monorail or buses.

To kick start the MyRapid Challenge, the sports minister himself took part in the challenge by completing a fitness set inclusive of jumping jacks and push ups.

Prasarana through Rapid KL will also be organising weekly roadshows at selected locations, with updates on their social media platforms of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MyRapid Challenge proves that taking public transportation is no excuse to not lead a healthy lifestyle as once again public transportation itself embodies the basic fundamentals of health which is movement. With MyRapid Challenge’s additional activities, Malaysians can now get fit on the go with a bonus – a free ride.

Arif's running secret to happiness

Life is all about the journey. Most have a great career, have a family and retire happy.

But for Dato' Mohamad Arif Abdullah, a father and civil engineer, his life is all about getting up at 5am, lacing up his running shoes, grabbing his water bottle and hitting the road before breakfast.

Because Arif is an avid marathon runner, what began as a hobby, has evolved into an indispensable part of his life. And because of his zeal and advocacy of a sporting lifestyle, it is no wonder that he gives the National Sports Day initiative big thumbs up.

"I first heard about it (National Sports Day) when reports of the 2015 Standard Chartered KL Marathon wanted to be postponed from Oct 4 to Oct 10 to coincide with the National Sports Day," said Arif.

"Nevertheless, it is a great move, and a good initiative from the government agencies involved."

Arif believes National Sports Day has come at the right time, especially since the level of healthy living among Malaysians is subpar to say the least.

"You cannot run away from the fact that our lifestyle is centered on technology, and that is affecting the general population. Even the attention on sporting events in schools is not good enough. It is a huge concern, so National Sports Day came at the right time.

"However, National Sports Day must focus on sending a message to Malaysia in its inaugural year. It must shout out 'Hey, we need to start moving now, get active and get out there!’.”

“In the following years, National Sports Day should evolve from a one-day event into something bigger. We are talking about multi-day events, or even a one-week programme. From next year onwards, it should be taking things to the next level.

"And National Sports Day alone will not be enough. It must be the starting point for more and more events like this to sprout all year round. The message needs to be passed on," Arif explained.

Arif, 49, will be taking on a huge task himself in just under two weeks, as he will head to Germany to race in the grueling Berlin Marathon on September 27, hoping to beat his personal best record there. Once successfully completed, it would be Arif's third major marathon after London and Tokyo respectively.

"Berlin will be the last of the three major marathons I will have completed. In addition, I am trying to break my personal best, and if I am going to achieve that, it will have to be ... no, it has to be in Berlin, where it is famous for world records," Arif added.

The Berlin Marathon has seen 10 world records broken since its inception, with three of those feats achieved in the last four years.

"The biggest challenge will always be the last couple of kilometers when there is absolutely nothing left in you. It will just be your mind telling you to carry on, one step at a time, while praying hard that you do not have cramps," he said with a chuckle.

Given his clear determination and passion for running, it was a little surprising that Arif only turned to an active lifestyle when he started working back in 1990.

"I was horrible at sports when I was young. But when I started working, at some point it made logical sense. You have a career, family and other things in life – you need something to balance out your world, and blow off some steam. For me it is running.

"Running, what I also consider as my 'me time', helps me stay focused and be optimistic about things. To top it off, there is no better feeling than when completing a run. In fact once I was introduced to races in 2008, I caught the bug and never looked back."

On the one advice he would give to anyone looking to start running, Arif only has three words: "Join a race. Join one, and leave the details of the run on your table. Psychologically, the fact you have joined means that you will think about it, and you will start to go out and walk and eventually run.”

So where will Arif be on Oct 10 when Malaysians are out there celebrating National Sports Day?

"I have not decided yet," he said, smiling. "But I will definitely take my family out for a great time."

MPs TAKE ON GARMIN CHALLENGE FOR HARI SUKAN NEGARA

In conjunction with the highly anticipated National Sports Day, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to accept the challenge of taking the first step in turning Malaysia into a sporting nation via the Garmin MP Steps Challenge.

At its official launch in Parliament on Thursday, the Garmin MP Steps Challenge will have participating MPs competing against each other not in politics, but in a "survival of the fittest" test to see who will emerge the strongest, healthiest and most active MP.

From Friday, Sept 11 - Oct 2, participating MPs will be provided their very own Garmin VivoFit 2 activity device courtesy of Garmin Malaysia, which will be used to keep track of their daily steps, calories burned and distance walked.

The data will be recorded on a dedicated website, for the public to monitor their progress on a daily basis.

"Malaysia is currently anything but a sporting nation, but we hope the National Sports Day (to be held on October 10) can help change that. We want sports to become a way of life for Malaysians," said Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister of Youth and Sports at the official launch ceremony, on Thursday.

"Who better to lead the charge but the elected representatives, the MPs themselves? National Sports Day will not be complete without the participation from the elected representatives of the people, and I believe we (MPs) have to use every avenue to lead a healthy lifestyle and encourage our respective constituencies to do the same.

"A lot of people still look up to us MPs for guidance ... I think we owe it to them to start leading even if it is in the matters of health, fitness and being active," added Khairy.

Ivan Ong, Senior Manager of AECO Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd, sole distributor of Garmin in Malaysia, was honoured to be partnering the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the Garmin MP Steps Challenge.

"Garmin is happy to be part of an opportunity to spearhead an initiative to promote fitness in Malaysia. Through this challenge, we believe the MPs will help drive the message across by taking the lead role as the leaders of their own respective constituencies," said Ong.

The Garmin MP Steps Challenge is open to any MP interested to participate. It is divided into two categories: "Team Universe" (for MPs aged 45 years and above) and "Team Olympic" (aged below 45 years old).

So far, 42 MPs have signed up for the challenge.

"The MP with the highest average steps per day at the end of the challenge in each category will win RM10,000 which they can use to promote a sporting culture in their constituency on National Sports Day.

"In addition, the second and third place MPs in their respective categories will take home RM7,500 and RM5,000 respectively," Khairy explained.

The National Sports Day, an initiative from the Ministry of Youth and Sports to turn Malaysia into a sporting nation, will be held every year on the second Saturday in October. In its debut this year, National Sports Day will boast more than 4,400 sporting and fitness programmes nationwide, including the 2015 Spartan Race, Port Dickson International Triathlon, Score Fitmob and National Bike Race.

"With government and private agencies doing their part in organising numerous events at state and district levels, we ask the rakyat to come and join us in embracing the sporting lifestyle now," Khairy said, adding that National Sports Day targets at least three million Malaysians to participate.

And Ong has no doubt that Khairy's target can be met.

"This year's National Sports Day will be a lot of trial and error, but we are very confident the three-million target can be achieved," he said.

HSN TO USHER IN EXCITING ERA FOR MALAYSIA

If there is one organisation that can understand the National Sports Day (HSN) initiative well, it would have to be Sports, Competition and Outdoor Recreational Experience (SCORE).

As the team responsible for several fitness mega events and organisers of the FitMalaysia, an initiative by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, it was surprise that SCORE will be hyped for the in augral HSN on Oct 10.


"No doubt it is an exciting time for sports and fitness in Malaysia," said its strategic director James Tan. "The birth of this programme (HSN) will create a greater awareness for our need to be fitter, which will culminate on HSN come Oct 10."

Tan, who was at the official launch of the SCORE FitMob Festival 2015 at KDU University College, believes HSN will be able to get its intended message out to all Malaysians, which is to become better and healthier.

"I believe deep inside, we all want to be better versions of ourselves, to be healthier and fitter. We are surely going to get a lot of people becoming more aware of the need to be fit. For most of our events, I can say that half of the participants came on their own, while the other half are participating because of friends. We expect the numbers to keep increasing," said Tan.

On the HSN initiative, Tan cannot deny that he thought the whole idea was very "cool".

"Yeah, I thought it was a cool idea, and it’s such a huge mega event spanning across the country. I believe HSN is also very important in helping the ministry (Youth and Sports) deliver its message across. We have a good partnership with the ministry, and so we are delighted to be a part of the programme," Tan added.

The SCORE FitMob Festival 2015, to be held at Stadium Merdeka on Oct 10, will be a massive gathering of fitness enthusiasts doing a group exercise while having fun. The festival will include programmes such as BodyCombat, Zumba, Kukuwa (African dance workout), and KpopXFitness. SCORE will also aim for a Malaysia Book of Records in the number of participants recorded for the BodyCombat event, which currently stands at 1,800 set by SCORE previously.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who was present at the launch ceremony, echoed Tan's message of Malaysians wanting to be healthier.

"About 4.4 million Malaysians are obese, and we rank number one in South East Asia for non-communicable diseases. In Malaysia, approximately 30% to 40% Malaysians exercise regularly, but this goes up to 70% for other developed countries like Japan, Australia and the UK. So, we have a very, very important agenda in our hands.

"On HSN, we must tell the world that Malaysia had enough of being unhealthy. On that day (Oct 10) across the country, from Perlis to Johor and all the way to Sabah and Sarawak, we want Malaysians to welcome HSN, and do the same every year. Sports will become our culture, fitness will become our culture, and we will become healthier," said Khairy.

The Youth and Sports minister was also happy with the reception he got at KDU, adding that he will be visiting Universiti Malaya (UM) next week to encourage more youths to lead a healthier lifestyle.

He also announced that almost 10,000 events have been confirmed to be held on National Sports Day.

"We also know that participation has exceeded the 3 million target, and it excludes schoolchildren who had to go to school on that day (replacement for public holiday). This is a huge achievement for HSN in its inaugural year," Khairy added, smiling.