Recently, staff of New Sarawak Tribune (NST) and Utusan Sarawak as well as their families gathered for a day of “Family & Sports Fun Day” at Le’ Park, behind Dewan Suarah Negeri in Kuching on May 1.
The event, organised by the Welfare Club of NST and US, was also attended by invited guests including residents of selected charitable homes in Kuching.
Present at the annual event was the Club’s President Madinah Ahmad Hipeni, Vice President Valentine Tawi, Manager of Dewan Suarah Negeri, Truna Ahmad Hipeni, editors, sub-editors, reporters, photographers, DTP artists and other staffs of New Sarawak Tribune, Utusan Sarawak, The Sarawak Press Sdn Bhd, Warta Distribution Sdn Bhd and Tribune Press Sdn Bhd.
Batu Kitang State Assemblyman, Cr. Ir. Lo Khere Chiang, was among those present.
Lo praised the Club’s President, Madinah, for her initiative in organising the event for the newspaper staffs, their families and residents of the selected charitable homes. He also promised to continue supporting the club in its future activities.
The Family & Sports Fun Day, he pointed out, was good for enhancing close ties among the employees of different races, ages and religions, their family members and the residents of charitable homes. The event, he added, was in line with the state government’s move to foster unity and racial harmony in Sarawak.
Madinah, on the other hand, was thankful for the overwhelming response to this year’s Family & Sports Fun Day.
The main purpose of the programme, she explained, was to commemorate the 3rd anniversary of the Club and at the same time, this particular programme can also be the perfect medium to enhance the spirit of togetherness as well as encouraging community involvement among the employees.
The programme was filled with a lot of fun activities not only limited to the staff and their families to enjoy and spend their quality time together, but this programme also brought a big smile to the invited participants who came from various backgrounds.
Some of the invited participants were students from Baiturrahmah & Maahad Tahfiz Raudhatul Jannah (Raudhah), single mothers, and residents of the local orphanage in Kuching area.
“Through the fun and interactive activities, the interaction between all the participants during this programme consequentially bring a lot of positive impacts not only to the employees but also the invited participants where they can socialise in a good way. Additionally, this will definitely enhance their self-confidence which is crucial for them to live in the challenging community nowadays,” said Madinah, who thanked everyone present, including the sponsors and volunteers.
She added that this programme also managed to bring a relatively new experience for the participants and to promote a healthy life style within the community.
Madinah also expressed her gratitude to the Manager of Dewan Suarah Negeri, Kuching, Truna and his team for sponsoring the venue and helping with the preparations for the event.
“Our sincere appreciation goes out also to the Minister of Works, Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Yusof, Cr. Ir. Lo Khere Chiang, Jawatankuasa Riadah & Sukan, ADUN N16 Muara Tuang, Sarawak Sports Corporation, Cahya Mata Sarawak, Northmont Capital Sdn Bhd, Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak and Soh Choo Chan of UCF (Kuching) Sdn Bhd for their generous contributions,” she said.
“We thank PTPL College Sarawak, Maestro Swiss Sdn Bhd c/o DKSH Malaysia Sdn Bhd (VICO), McDonald’s Petra Jaya and McDonald’s Plaza Merdeka as well for sponsoring the drinks and Grand Margherita Hotel, Riverside Majestic Hotel, Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites Kuching and
Hilton Hotel Kuching for sponsoring the prizes (complimentary 2D/1N stay in vouchers and buffet vouchers).”
Family fun day at the park
Among the activities held during the Family & Sports Fun Day were aerobic exercises, a treasure hunt, fun runs, musical chairs, a newspaper dance, lucky draws, presentation of prizes to the winners of the treasure hunt, various games and runs as well as presentation of mementoes to the sponsors and volunteers.
All those present were treated to sumptuous KFC Combo Meals and other delicious food including ‘nasi ayam berempah’, ice cream Malaysia, fruits, cakes, fried mee hoon, and VICO drinks sponsored by Maestro, orange juice sponsored by McDonald’s Petra Jaya & McDonald’s Plaza Merdeka, and drinking water sponsored by PTPL College Kuching.
