SHAH ALAM: The Malaysian Gymnastics Federation (MGF) will make preparations to include gymnastics parkour to be contested at the national level.
Its president, Datuk Seri Tan Gin Soon said this was because the obstacle-style street race has the potential to be contested at future Olympic Games.
"So, we must continue to strive… in the future, every state will try to set up parkour centres for the people to take part in," he told reporters after the Asia Parkour Tour that was also attended by Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim here today.
The Asia Parkour Tour, which started in Indonesia, is being held in Malaysia for two days from today before moving on to Cambodia (August 19-20), Thailand (August 22-23), Vietnam (August 26-27) and the Philippines (August 30-31).
The Malaysian leg of the Tour has attracted 150 participants, including 10 from the countries involved.
Meanwhile, Adam Adli said the ministry always supported the sport of parkour to be intensified to provide more exposure to the public.
"We hope there are parkour enthusiasts who can attract more young people (because) this sport is interesting and is not just limited to the indoors," he said.
The inclusion of parkour will see gymnastics having four disciplines in this region, the other three being artistic, rhythmic and aerobics. – BERNAMA