KANGAR: The government will give special attention to the elderly through the organisation of an Elderly Sports Carnival.
This initiative aims to enhance the health levels, especially among seniors, to ensure they remain active and healthy by 2030.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the effort must begin now, as Malaysia is expected to become an ageing nation by 2030, where the elderly population will form the largest demographic group.
"According to research by the Statistics Department, the population aged 60 and above reached 3.8 million or 11.3 per cent last year and is expected to increase to 15.3 per cent by 2030 and eventually 20 per cent by 2040.
"In line with this, efforts to enhance health standards must commence now, so that by 2030, we have an elderly population that is active and healthy.
"Thus, as part of the 2024 National Sports Day, the government will focus specifically on the elderly through the organisation of the Elderly Sports Carnival," he told reporters after the state-level 2024 National Sports Day at Tuanku Syed Putra Sports Complex today.
Present were Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli, the National Sports Council (MSN) director-general Abdul Rashid Yaakub, and Perlis Youth and Sports Department director Musa Salim.
Fadillah added that the government acknowledges that the elderly are an important part of society, with equal rights to enjoy and participate in sports and recreational activities.
"The government spends billions (of ringgit) on public health, and as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
"Therefore, engaging in sports and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including good nutrition, are essential. I hope all Malaysians prioritise this in their daily lives.
"This is vital because a nation with healthy citizens is productive and will reduce the rising healthcare costs. The annual National Sports Day programme can instil a culture of fitness across all levels of society," he added.