By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, 8 Sept — The traditional pastime game of playing with paper aeroplanes, fondly embraced by Malaysian youth, is set for a renaissance after the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) pledged its support to develop the sport further.
Its minister, Hannah Yeoh, said plans are underway for the ministry to hold engagements with stakeholders and work closely with local authorities to further cultivate and nurture the sport.
“Today, I’ve come to support this (aviation sports) exhibition for the potential of aerial sports in Malaysia. It is, after all, a type of sport,” she told the press during her visit to the Selangor Aviation Show 2023 at Skypark Regional Aviation Centre, here, today.
“We need to consider how we can support this industry so that it can be developed with the backing of the Federal and state governments.
“I’m also looking at paper aeroplanes, which is a sport now. The older generation often played with them, but I want the youth of today to have the same experience too.
Yeoh said she has discussed with the respective associations, including Rakan Muda, on a potential cooperation to organise youth engagement programmes to promote and advance the paper aeroplane industry.
“I believe this sport is still relatively new in Malaysia, but it has the potential. Hence, I’m in the process of learning from the associations what assistance they require.”
Yeoh pointed out that KBS, in collaboration with the paper aeroplane sports community, has already set up a training facility in Bukit Jalil to further develop the sport.
However, she said more engagements with stakeholders are required to streamline the needs of aviation sports, in general, with local laws and regulations.
“That’s why I believe more dialogues need to be held to listen to the challenges and aspirations of the youth in this industry, and how we can align them with the requirements from local authorities and state governments.
“I want to understand the challenges they face, and we (the ministry) will endeavour to do so”
