By Naveed Meraj and Shahid Qureshi
ISLAMABAD: The Malaysian High Commission in Islamabad organized a Sports Day at the premises of the High Commission today (Saturday).
The event was held in collaboration with the National Sports Day of Malaysia. Mohammad Azhar Mazlan, Malaysian High Commissioner to Pakistan officiated the event. In his remarks, the High Commissioner underscored the importance of a balance healthy lifestyle.
He also reiterated the role of sports diplomacy in fostering closer relations between Malaysia and Pakistan. Present were the Malaysian and Pakistani staff members of the High Commission and their family as well as Malaysian diaspora living in Islamabad and surrounding areas.
The National Sports Day is organized not only across Malaysia but also at its embassies abroad every year on the second Saturday in October. The main objective of the event is to promote the spirit of healthy lifestyle among Malaysians young and old emphasizing on the importance of regular exercise as well as to unite Malaysians from all walks of life through sports.
A number of games were played at the compound of the High Commission such as aerobics, badminton, netball, table tennis and volleyball. A new game “sepak takraw” was introduced this year. To their delight, those present had the opportunity to play the popular Southeast Asian traditional game where the player kicks and balances a rattan woven ball on the air before passing it to another player.
