IN A MOMENTOUS celebration to mark that it will be exactly a year to go to Malaysiaâs hosting of the SEA Games 2017 last night, the WAU Factor programme that was initiated for the volunteers was launched at the same time.
In a glittering ceremony at the National Sports Council (MSN) Centre in Setiawangsa, the WAU Factor programme will be the nerve centre of Kuala Lumpur 2017.
Through this programme, it is hope that it will be able to attract people from all walks of life to positively contribute to the volunteer network and ensure the smooth running of the games as they showcase their own talent and abilities.
Their âWAUâ Factor which is the expression of Positive, Dedication, Commitment and Bravery.
The event was officiated by the Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Datuk M. Saravanan, and witnessed by Secretary General of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), Dato Lokman Hakim Ali and Chief Executive Officer of MASOC (Malaysian Organising Committee for KL 2017) Datoâ Seri Zolkples Embong. Others who attended the event were representatives from the various National Sports Associations (NSA), athletes, sponsors and also the various stakeholders of the 29th SEA Games and the 9th ASEAN Para Games.
And just to put the attendees in the right frame of mind, a pre-event was held where the screening of Datuk Lee Chong Weiâs progress into the final of the Rio Olympicâs badminton menâs singles was shown in the big screen.
Chong Weiâs fabulous fightback to beat Chinaâs Lin Dan in the semi-finals of the Rio Olympic Games was just the right tonic that was needed to invoke the spirit of patriotism.
The 29th SEA Games will see 38 sports being held for 405 events, which will be held in and around Kuala Lumpur as well as Nilai, Langkawi and Terengganu while the 9th ASEAN Para Games will be held on 17 to 23 September 2017.
In his speech, Datuk Saravanan said that it was important to hold the event to mark 365 days to go to SEA Games 2017 as this will provide athletes and also the general Malaysian populace to aim towards a single focal point.
âThe average Malaysian will have to play a role in ensuring the success of Kuala Lumpur 2017 through the âWAU Factorâ programme. We want people to think that the SEA Games 2017 will be more than just about the success of the athletes. It will also have to be about the whole Malaysian public for it to be a success,â said Datuk Saravanan.
He added that the organization of Kuala Lumpur 2017 is on the right track with the seamless cooperation of MASOC, the sub-committees under MASOC and also the stakeholders and the NSAs.
In the meantime, MASOC chairman who is also the Minister of Youth and Sports, YB Khairy Jamaluddin, through a video playback, expressed confidence and his appreciation to all who are involved with the organization of the SEA Games and also the ASEAN Para Games 2017.
âOne year is a very short period. We have to double all our effort towards our preparation, from the organizational aspect to athletesâ preparation as well as ensuring all technical requirements are met by all 15 committees under MASOC,â said YB Khairy, who is currently in Rio de Janeiro with the Malaysian contingent.
SETAHUN MENJELANG SUKAN SEA 2017 DISAMBUT MERIAH
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KIRAAN Detik Setahun Menjelang Sukan SEA ke-29 Kuala Lumpur 2017 bermula malam ini (19 Ogos 2016) dengan majlis sambutan sederhana tetapi meriah yang berlangsung di Pusat Sukan Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) di Setiawangsa, Kuala Lumpur.
Sempena Kiraan Detik Setahun itu, Jawatankuasa Pengelola Kuala Lumpur 2017 (MASOC) melancarkan program Sukaralewan âWau Factorâ yang bakal menjadi nadi menjayakan penganjuran temasya Kuala Lumpur 2017.
Menerusi Program âWAU Factorâ, MASOC berharap dapat menarik penyertaan rakyat pelbagai lapisan dan latarbelakang untuk menyumbang tenaga sebagai Sukarelawan Kuala Lumpur 2017.
Menerusi program itu, para sukarelawan berpeluang menonjolkan kemampuan dan kemahiran masing-masing dengan menonjolkan semangat âWAUâ Factor, iaitu gabungan sikap Positif, Dedikasi, Ketekunan dan Keberanian.
Majlis dirasmikan Timbalan Menteri Belia dan Sukan (KBS) Datuk M. Saravanan dan turut dihadiri Ketua Setiausaha KBS, Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif MASOC Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong. Turut menjayakan majlis, wakil-wakil dari persatuan sukan terbabit, atlet, penaja dan pemegang taruh Sukan SEA ke-29 dan Sukan Para ASEAN ke-9. Majlis pelancaran tambah bermakna dan disambut penuh bersemangat apabila berlangsung sejurus selepas kejayaan pemain perseorangan negara Datuk Lee Chong Wei yang mengatasi jaguh China Lin Dan pada perlawanan separuh akhir badminton Olimpik, yang disiarkan secara langsung di skrin gergasi di venue majlis pelancaran.
Sukan SEA ke-29, yang menampilkan 38 jenis sukan dan 405 acara, akan berlangsung di venue sekitar Kuala Lumpur, Nilai, Langkawi dan Terengganu manakala Sukan Para ASEAN ditetapkan dari 17 hingga 23 September 2017.
Datuk Saravanan, dalam ucapan perasmiannya berkata, Sambutan Setahun Menjelang Sukan SEA 2017 itu amat penting bagi menyemarakkan semangat atlet dan seluruh rakyat selain memastikan usaha menjadi penganjur terbaik.
âKita akan memastikan pembabitan rakyat pelbagai lapisan menerusi Program âWAU Factorâ ini. Apabila orang menyebut tentang sukan, mereka akan memikirkan penyertaan dan kejayaan atlet tetapi lebih daripada itu, kita mahu membabitkan penyertaan seluruh rakyat dan merasakan kegembiraan temasya,â kata Datuk Saravanan.
Datuk Saravanan berkata persiapan menjelang temasya berjalan lancar menerusi usaha bersepadu membabitkan MASOC, kesemua 15 Jawatankuasa Kecil di bawah MASOC, pemegang taruh dan persatuan-persatuan sukan terbabit.
Sementara itu, Pengerusi MASOC yang juga Menteri Belia dan Sukan YB Khairy Jamaluddin, menerusi pesanan video, melahirkan penghargaan terhadap semua pihak yang terbabit dalam persiapan Sukan SEA dan Sukan Para ASEAN 2017.
âTempoh satu tahun amat pendek. Kita akan melipatgandakan usaha persiapan, daripada persiapan atlet hinggalah kepada aspek teknikal membabitkan kesemua 15 jawatankuasa di bawah MASOC,â kata YB Khairy, yang kini berada di Rio de Janeiro bersama kontinjen Olimpik negara.
