PENAMPANG, April 28 — The Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) is targeting 8,880 participants nationwide this year for the Basic Sports Swimming Skills Training Programme (KLAS Renang).
Its minister Hannah Yeoh said the free KLAS Renang programme is aimed at 7,680 children from B40 families, disabled persons aged six to 15 years with 600 participants, and 600 senior citizens aged 60 to 75 years.
“I hope this programme will become popular. If there is high demand, we will ask MPs to help make this programme a success,” she told the press after officiating KLAS Renang at the Penampang Sports Complex today.
For this year, KBS is focusing more on senior citizens, helping them stay fit and active while also learning new skills.
The registration for KLAS Renang’s first phase is open from April to June, with the programme taking place in 222 locations with swimming pool facilities.
Additionally, Yeoh said her ministry is in discussions with local authorities and state governments about swimming pools to be repaired for public use.
This is important as some swimming pools have been closed due to high operational costs.
Meanwhile, KLAS Renang participant Lee Kok Fui, 57, said he was interested in joining the activity because swimming training could be beneficial to his health.
He added that when he learned about the programme, he tried to apply and register even though he only knew basic swimming skills.
“Just a little, no teacher taught me. I hope I can get better at swimming and be healthier,” said the Penampang local.
Janet Tye, 69, found out about the programme from the Luyang Senior Citizens Association (PAWE), which she joined before registering for KLAS Renang.
She hopes that after attending the six-session KLAS Renang programme, she will learn swimming techniques and skills that could potentially save her life when needed.
“Never late to learn (swimming); I am 69 this year. I want to thank our minister Hannah Yeoh, for making this possible for us, especially old people like us,” Tye said.
— Bernama
