KOTA BARU: Friday’s inaugural Kelantan Half-Marathon received such a rousing response that the state has decided to expand the event into an annual full marathon.
Nearly 9,000 participants, including foreign runners, took part in the event – much to the delight of Youth and Sports Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin.
"I promised two years ago that such an event will be held here, and this has been fulfilled today. We see that the response is good and we have nearly 9,000 participants.
“(Because of the good turnout), it will be turned into an annual full marathon," Khairy told reporters after bestowing prizes to winners at the Rural Transformation programme here, yesterday.
He added that such big events must be brought to all states, adding that even Perlis organises an international run.
On another matter, Khairy said he lauds the decision by Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Tunku Mahkota Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, to submit a list of national footballers, referees and FAM staff who require close monitoring by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
He said the move is proactive and will benefit the FAM in the long-run.
