The Nation Builder

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THE STARS OF TOMORROW

Embodying his being a politician and a sportsman, Khairy is a role model to young Malaysians, influencing them to live a healthier lifestyle. It doesn’t matter that he is a politician, but our YB gets down and dirty with his people, encouraging those in power to go outside and live active.

“One of my biggest aims in this job is not just to make sure that Malaysia has top class athletes, but to make sure that the average Malaysian becomes healthier. I think sports for all, and a sporting nation, is built on the foundation of mass participation. Without that, you can’t climb among and above the stars and be that star of tomorrow yourself.”

One of Malaysia’s successful initiatives, Hari Sukan Negara, has even been attended by people of power in the country and they loved sharing the experience with their fellow Malaysians. “I said, ‘Look, it’s not enough that I do this, but it has to be a nationwide effort.’” Malaysians are made aware of the health issues and the economic burden of non-communicable diseases in Southeast Asia, so this prods them to living a healthier lifestyle.

“You need a politician to tell you that you’re unhealthy? I think Malaysians need to tell that to themselves. You don’t need a sports minister, a health minister or a prime minister to tell you, ‘Get out there and be a sporting nation!’ I think it should come naturally to us.”

In a developing nation like ours, there are still barriers affecting sports participation for non-athletes and athletes alike. For YB, all we need is willingness. “A lot of people say ‘Oh, Malaysia is developing, maybe we don’t have the luxury to do so, when we’re still trying to make ends meet…’ I think these are also excuses.” An unhealthy lifestyle is an economic issue. If you don’t start getting healthy now, you are going to be saddled with big medical bills later on in the future. An active lifestyle is sort of preemptive to treating possible issues now before you get affected later on.

He also agrees that some rural areas lack facilities, as sports isn’t the highest of priorities as far as the government budget is concerned, but the nation should make do with what they have. “Are you telling me that Olympic gold medalist runners win because they have the best facilities in the world? No. It’s because they WANT to do it, and they do it! So it has a lot to do with having the willingness and desire to create a sporting culture in order to build a sporting nation.”

Acknowledging the problem, Khairy also expresses his views on what would remove racial barriers amongst Malaysians. Two of them being sports and food, and though they are both enemies amongst themselves, they are the two major components that unite all Malaysians together.

“I love our food. Our food has some of the highest calorific content in the world, but if you exercise and burn it off, it’s fine. Sports doesn’t only create a healthier nation, but actually brings a country like Malaysia together. Apart from its competitive nature, sports can ignite a sense of unity.”

 

ACHIEVING THAT VISION

Malaysia hasn’t reached the point of being a sports nation yet, and Khairy is looking to do more and take this country to greater heights. Fit Malaysia is another initiative, which was held at the capital cities of all the states throughout 2015. Wanting to have a wider reach, Fit Malaysia 2016 is now targeted towards the secondary cities. “We have been going on our second cycle since March, hitting the secondary cities this time. So for instance, last year we went to Kuching in Sarawak, this time we went to Miri; Alor Setar last year, this year in Sungai Petani, and this applies to all states. Hopefully, this will be able to expand our reach with communities.”

Even though more Malaysians are becoming even more willing to spend their hard earned money to participate in sporting events, Fit Malaysia is free! This is how you move an entire nation.

“If you only get the ‘running kakis’ and not the first-timers, you aren’t bringing the movement to the ground of encouraging people to live a healthier lifestyle. Hopefully we get a bump from the SEA Games. Nothing can replace the big impact from a successful sporting event. This will inspire kids to go out there and get active. Beyond that, we want our initiatives like Fit Malaysia and Hari Sukan Negara, among others, to continue so that these become an ongoing effort and not just a one-off occurrence, because a sporting nation will not happen until our Malaysians get off their backsides and do something about it.”

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