SINGAPORE: Sarawak will be hosting the 21st Asia Master Athletic Championship (Amac) at the Sarawak State Stadium, Petra Jaya in Kuching from Dec 2-9 this year.
Yesterday, the torch was handed over to the Sarawak government which will be the host for the 21st sports event.
Youth and Sports Assistant Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan received the torch from Singapore Masters Athletics president Glory Barnabas at Kallang Athletic Stadium here. About 500 people were involved in the ceremony.
Snowdan’s entourage to Singapore yesterday included Sarawak Sports Corporation chief executive officer Dr Ong Kong Swee and Asia Masters Athletics secretary general cum Malaysia Masters Athletic Association president S Sivapragasam.
In his speech, Snowdan said, “Sarawak, as the 21st Amac Local Organising Committee, feels very proud to inaugurate this event in Kuching this year.
This Torch Run will indeed go into the history of AMA Championships.”
Asia Masters Athletics and the 21st Amac Local Organising Committee decided to start the Torch Run for the Kuching event in Singapore to commemorate the first Asian Veteran Athletics Championships which was initiated by Singapore and held in July 1981.
Snowdan revealed that 29 countries including eight outside Asia would be taking part in the 21st Asia Master Athletic Championship.
“It is a good sign for the unity of human race in the future. Sports has been the main medium in uniting people all over the world since 776 BC, when the first ancient Olympics were held. Sports inculcate unity, goodwill and tolerance among humans.
“Now sports have become an important part in the development of human and nations. It is very important for the organisers of sports events to focus on the good values of sports so that the good values in human do not die off because of the violence and negative energy that influence the human race in today’s world,” he said.
He added the Sarawak government was grateful to the Singapore Athletic Association and Singapore Masters Athletics for giving their cooperation and support for the 21st Torch Run.
“This goes to show the good relationship between Singapore and Malaysia, hence, hoping that 21st Amac will continue to foster friendship and goodwill among all master athletes.
“It is our wish that both our countries work together in all fields and always maintain good cooperation.
“On behalf of the Sarawak government, I would like to thank and convey our appreciation to the president of Singapore Athletics Association and the president of Singapore Masters Athletics for organising this function as it is very significant to Asia Masters Athletics and all master athletes in Asia,” added Snowdan.
