MELAKA, Feb 14 — Veteran cyclist Alex Goh Shaw Peng, 62, embarked on a solo journey of over 450 kilometres on Saturday (February 11) to raise funds for The Spirit of Olympism 2023 campaign.
He said the initiative was to raise funds for the Malaysian Olympians Association (MOA) for the welfare of its members as well as to reach out to the people to promote the association’s newly launched logo.
Goh has offered to cycle from Shah Alam, Selangor to Johor Bharu, Johor in seven days in an effort to raise public awareness of the Olympic spirit.
“At this age, I am elated to still be able to cycle long distances and to be part of this campaign to spread the Olympic message.
“It is not easy, but I’m doing it without pressure and in a relaxed manner where I can meet people,” he told reporters at the Melaka Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) here yesterday.
On his arrival at the Melaka UTC, he was celebrated at the Spirit of Olympism 2023 fundraising campaign ceremony which was attended by MOA president Noraseela Khalid and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (MOM) vice president Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad.
Goh began his journey at I-City Shah Alam and made a stopover in Morib and Port Dickson before reaching Melaka.
He is scheduled to stop at several other locations namely Muar, Benut, and Pontian to carry out activities with the locals before ending his journey at Paradigm Mall, Johor Bahru on February 18.
Meanwhile, Noraseela said that she was honoured and grateful to get the opportunity to work with those who are passionate about sports like Goh, adding that she hoped that the effort could inspire more people to be interested in sports.
“This event features Alex who was named the first Malaysian to run in the top 10 world marathons by the Malaysia Book of Records and he is an example to the community to practise a healthy lifestyle and be active in sports,” she said adding that MOA’s main objective for The Spirit of Olympism campaign was to instil the Olympic spirit while promoting sports as an active lifestyle apart from bringing a message to the community to appreciate the country’s Olympians and sportsmen.
Noraseela who represented the country in the 400 metres hurdles in the 2012 London Olympics said the programme also aimed at inspiring people from all walks of life as well as igniting interest in the younger generation to become Olympians.
Malaysia took part in its first Olympic Games in Melbourne in 1956 and has a total of 354 Olympic athletes thus far.
— Bernama
