KUALA LUMPUR: National Sports Day should be used as a platform to foster a sporting culture and enhance unity among Malaysians, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.
During the National Sports Day celebration held at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium here, Najib expressed hope for Malaysians to develop "a winning mentality" in order to achieve success.
"If we want to be successful, we must get involved in sports. Based on research, Malaysians have the highest obesity level in Asia because we love to eat roti canai, nasi lemak and teh tarik – but we don't exercise.
"Not only that: living in a multicultural society like ours, sports is the best platform to unite the people.
"The spirit of love for the nation also needs to be nurtured, as well as a winning mentality if we want to be successful in sports," he said.
Najib was speaking during the launch of the national-level event here, with various programmes held, including Fit Malaysia 10km/5km Run and Fit Malaysia 10km/30km Ride.
National Sports Day, which is celebrated on the second Saturday of October every year, is aimed at making Malaysia a ‘sporting nation’.
Among the highlights today were the participation of 16,000 school children in the 10,000-Step programme by the Education Ministry in Putrajaya; and a half-marathon to be held at night in Kuala Lumpur, where 10,000 people are expected to take part.