KUALA LUMPUR: The 'Jom Jalan with National Press Club (NPC) 2024' is set to be a star-studded affair.
The inaugural walk scheduled at Padang Merbok on Sunday will be graced by several Olympians and former national track and field stars.
Among the big names expected to attend the walk are former sprinters Tan Sri Dr. M. Jegathesan and Datuk Shahrudin Ali, Malaysia Olympian Association president Noraseela Khalid, and ex-national walker Mohamed Shahrulhaizy Abdul Rahman.
Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur Athletics Association (FTKLAA) secretary S. Murugesu said the presence of the former stars will motivate participants, adding that he hopes to see more walking events being held in the city.
"It's great to see so many familiar names who will be attending 'Jom Jalan with NPC 2024'. These were big stars during their time, and they will surely inspire and motivate the other participants," said Murugesu.
"What's even greater is that some of them, like Shahrudin, Noraseela, and Shahrulhaizy, have signed up, and they will be walking with the other participants. This is what sports is about, being sporting and encouraging one another to excel."
Murugesu hopes the 'Jom Jalan with NPC' series, which offers two main categories—a competitive 10km walk and a 5km fun walk—will grow in the coming years.
The 10km competitive walk has four categories: Men's, Women's, Boys', and Girls'. The fun walk, meanwhile, is open to all aged seven and above. The flag-off for the competitive walk is at 7am while the flag-off for the fun walk will be at 7:20am.
"We, at FTKLAA, are not viewing this as just another event but as a development programme. We need more walking events and no one has been keen to organise one in recent times. So, it was wonderful to see the NPC taking up this bold challenge of organising a walk," said Murugesu.
"Malaysia used to dominate the race walking scene, and that was made possible through the many race walking events. I hope we can continue to produce more stars for the country in time to come."
The Jom Jalan with NPC 2024 is supported by FTKLAA. Sponsors include Mercure Kuala Lumpur Shaw Parade, Iskandar Investment Berhad, Nestle-Milo, Nadi Tenang yoga studio, and F&N.