Manipal Alumni Association Malaysia (MAAM) in wanting to give back to society through charity work as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project, have decided to organise the inaugural Manipal Run 2017 for Special Needs Children.
The 5km and 10km Run will be held on 12th November (Sunday) starting at the Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences (CUCMS) at 7am.
At the Press Conference on Friday at Wisma Olympic Council of Malaysia, the Run’s organising chairperson, Dr.K. Nyanakalaiwani, said that they have chosen to work with the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) as this group needs attention and create awareness besides raising funds for them which they duly are in need.
“We at MAAM wan to contribute to the society and this is one of our many initiatives we are looking at,” said Kalaiwani as she is known to her friends.
“We are indeed happy to work with NASOM and assist them in any small way we can,” said Kalaiwanu a keen sportswomen herself having represented the nation in golf and having won the bronze medal at 1977 Sea Games, silver medal at the 1999 Sea Games and a gold medalist at the 1998 Sukma. Â
Feilina Feisol, the Chairperson of NASOM who was present at the Press Conference, said they were glad that MAAM choose their association and to assist autism children and create an awareness with the hope more assistance will come forward from other bodies.
The run is also unique as involves past and present national athletes who have been approached by MAAM to be part of the run and run with the autistic children.
“We have already about 60 past and present athletes who have committed themselves to be part of the run and run with the special children to show their support. We are expecting about 100 of them to be part of the race by race day,” said L. Sivasuthan.
Former national athletes present at the Press Conference to show their support were Noraseela Khalid (hurdler), Sarina Sundara Rajah (gymnast), T.Gopinath Naidu (footballer), Rahizam Ramli (golfer) and Suresh Sakadivan (cricketer).
Also present were Datuk Peter Velappan (former Asian Football Confederation secretary-general), president of MAAMÂ Dr. Arun Kumar who is also the deputy president of Malaysian Cricket Association, and vice-president of MAAM, Dr. P. Sivaroshan.
Dr Arun said that the proceedings from the Run will be contributed to National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) and Autism Cafe Project.
This run is being supported by NASOM), Autism Cafe Project, Yakult, Gribbles Pathlogy, Lenovo, IM4U, Subang Eye Specialist and Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society.
Manipal Medical College (MMMC) and Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences (CUCMS).
Closing date for entries is 29th Oct, 2017.
 Registration can be done online:Â
https://event.howei.com/event/manipal-run-2017Â
