Not treating youth as a problem

Not treating youth as a problem

The Terengganu state government’s novel way of addressing social problems among adolescents by engaging them in their favourite pastimes on a weekend every month has been receiving a good response.

Young Malaysians from neighbouring states are also participating in the state-organised programme, the Terengganu City Night Games, now into its third year.

The Games offer 12 events, among them netball, hockey, lawn bowling, cycling, canoeing and cultural shows.

“Although the programme is seen as a fun thing, it will help to uncover talents in various sports,” said Terengganu Youth and Sports chairman, Rozi Mamat, at the launch of games here recently.

He said the Games would be expanded to cover all districts in the state by incorporating events suitable for each area.

In Kuala Terengganu, the Games are held at the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium complex in an effort to liven up the area following the collapse of the roof of the 50,000-seat stadium in June, 2009.

Rozi said the state government was waiting for a technical investigation report from the Public Works Department (JKR) on the stadium roof collapse.

 “Once we get that report, we will decide what to do next,” he said.

The stadium was the venue for the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in 2008.

— Bernama