By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Dec 2: A 103-year-old woman will be the oldest athlete at the 21st Asia Masters Athletics (AMA) Championships which will be held at Stadium Negeri here from December 2 to 7.
According to Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Sarawak is hosting the AMA Championships for the first time with some 3,000 participants from 29 countries expected to attend.
“The commitment by the Masters athletes for this event especially beyond the age of 35 to 103-years-old is a phenomenon by itself.
“Those taking part in this championship including the oldest participant are admirable and should be emulated by the younger generations,” he said before officiating at the 21st AMA Championships torch run at Kuching Waterfront today.
“The enthusiasm shown by the participants stand as proof that humankind can achieve any goal they set at any age,” he added.
The torch run from Darul Hana Bridge to Stadium Perpaduan here is the second in the series and will mark the start of the AMA Championships here.
Snowdan who is the organising chairman for the championship lauded the Sarawak government’s commitment in hosting the championships.
“They took measures to ensure that the venue and sporting facilities are at the highest standards as required by AMA, and to make this event a reality,” he said.
The first series of the torch run for the championships was held in Singapore on Nov 24.
World Masters Athletics president Margit Jungman, Asia Masters Athletics president Viwat Vigrantanoros, Malaysian Masters Athletics Association patron Dr V Pulainthiran, and Sarawak Sports Corporation Chief Executive Officer Dr Ong Kong Swee were also present. — DayakDaily
