gusghani

How Did Ironman Originated?

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Posted in 2019, Concept Run, Couple Running, District Race, Event, Family, Fitness, health, Kepong, New Event, October, Outdoor, Sports, Video | Tagged AIA Vitality, aiamalaysia, districtracemy, explore race, happy runner, Kepong Metropolitan Park, New Event, Running App, Running Couple | 1 Comment

KLSCM 2019 DAY 1 Official Press Release

Posted on September 30, 2019 by Gus Ghani

KLSCM 2019 DAY 1 Official Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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11th EDITION OF KLSCM GETS UNDERWAY WITH TWO-DAY FORMAT

Kids Dash, 5km and Friendship Run kick-off event on the first day

KUALA LUMPUR, Saturday, 28 September 2019: The Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon (KLSCM) 2019, now held in a two-day format, got off to a fun start with the Kids Dash and 5km categories, along with the Friendship Run at Dataran Merdeka this morning. Unlike last year, the 5km category was brought forward to today to allow for more capacity in the 10km, Full and Half Marathon categories which will be held tomorrow.

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The Kids Dash also used to take place on the main Race Day where the kids would run in a looped course near the Royal Selangor Club but beginning last year, the 1km and 3km categories were held the day before. This is intended to give the kids’ categories more prominence on their own and also the privilege of starting and finishing under the Main Race Arch on Dataran Merdeka. It would also allow parents participating in the event tomorrow to devote more time and attention to their children’s race.

Having the Kids Dash categories on the preceding day also allowed these categories to be expanded so that 1,000 children could take part this year compared to 500 in previous years. “The Kids Dash is an important area of development for us as we want to inspire children to take to running from a young age. Obesity, and even childhood obesity is increasingly becoming a concern here in Malaysia and running is one of the easiest physical activities for anyone to do to keep fit and healthy. Encouraging children early in their lives can help them form good habits that they can carry on with later in life,” said Gloria Ng, Director of Dirigo Events, the owner and organiser of KLSCM.

Speed categories for both distances were introduced this year to give a more competitive edge to the categories and to separate the faster children from the fun runners. In the 1km Kids Dash, which is for children aged between 6-9 years, the Boy’s Category was won by Wong Jun You in a time of 04:24:74 minutes, followed by Shaashwath Sivakumar who posted 04:30:14 and Wong Yin Heng, who came in third with a time of 04:31:95. Zhang Yuxuan won the Girl’s category in a time of 05:08:22 minutes with second place going to Nurin Qaizara binti Mohd Hafiz who finished in 05:15:03 and Nur Afina Zahra binti Zakwan Fasha came in third in 05:32:86.

Caption: Mastura Adnan, Head of Brand, Sponsorship and Sustainability (far left), Sameer Sharma, Head of Wealth Management (2^nd from left), Jennifer Kang, Head of Corporate Affairs and Brand Marketing (far right)

In the 3km Kids Dash, which is for children aged between 10-12 years, the Boy’s Category was won by Jin Khoo in a time of 10:01:48 minutes, followed by Muhammad Iddin Mubin bin Rozmi who posted 10:34:13 and Justin Tan Weng Teng, who came in third with a time of 10:47:87. Purnamrtta Aditya Ujjayni Kasyapa Gunala won the Girl’s category in a time of 13:02:80 minutes with second place going to Shanice Tang who finished in 13:24:99 and Nurul Izzah Najwa bt Norzaidi rounded up the third position with a time of 13:28:43.

A Speed category was also introduced in the 5km distance this year, and those running in this category would have their timing recorded, with medals provided to the winners. In the 5km Open of the inaugural Speed category, Ho Sze Hou from China came in first in a time of 19:05 minutes while Tse Wai Hung from Hong Kong came in second with a time of 21:28 and third was Krishna Kumar a/l Jayaram from Malaysia who completed the route in 22:17.

Caption : Suhaimi Abdul Hamid, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Saadiq Malaysia (far left) and Abrar A. Anwar, MD and CEO, Standard Chartered Malaysia (far right)

The 5km Women’s Open Speed category was won by Tung Yee Man from Hong Kong in a time of 26:41:28 minutes while Tse Choi Yuk, also from Hong Kong came in second posting 26:41:46 and Cheung Ho Lun from China placed third in a time of 26:50:71.

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The Friendship Run has become a staple in the KLSCM Race Programme after its debut in 2015 and is meant for Full Marathon runners to have a warm up run the day before their big event.

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Local and international runners come dressed in all kinds of cool outfits which add fun and colour to the proceedings, with each runner also given a helium balloon with the flag of his/her country printed on it. It ends with a pasta and carbo-loading breakfast after the run where runners get to meet each other and forge friendships.

Abrar A. Anwar, Standard Chartered Malaysia’s MD and CEO also participated this year to continue from his debut participation last year.

“I really enjoyed myself last year and it was amazing to meet all these local and international runners brimming with positivity and camaraderie,” said Abrar. “As title sponsors for over a decade now, we are truly convinced that this event has a powerful ability to unite people from all walks of life. It is an honour to support an iconic sporting event such as this which has come to exemplify the coming together of a diversity of nationalities, backgrounds and ages,” he added.

The Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon has grown to become the premier running event in Malaysia that draws thousands of local and international runners to the country whilst firmly establishing Malaysia in the global running calendar. The 11th edition of the event will be the largest yet with 40,000 runners in total taking part, and will once again see sponsorship from Title Sponsor Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia, along with Under Armour, 100 Plus, Seiko, Jaybird, TudungPeople, Banana Boat and Pacific Regency and DBKL as venue hosts.

For more information and updates on KLSCM, please visit:

Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/SCKLmarathon

Twitter : https://twitter.com/scklmarathon

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/klscmarathon/

Website : www.kl-marathon.com

For more information, please contact:

Suthan Narayanan | 603.7621.7787 | suthan@dirigo.com.my

For more information on Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon:

Gloria Ng | 603.7621.7787 | gloria.ng@dirigo.com.my

For more information on Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad:

Jennifer Kang | 603. 7682.9779 | jennifer.kang@sc.com

Geraldine Tan | 603. 7682.9166 | geraldine.tan@sc.com

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About the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon 2019

Back for the 11th year, the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon takes place on 28 & 29 September 2019. The marathon, owned and organised by Dirigo Events, will see participation from 40,000 runners, ranging from elite athletes to first-time distance runners. A truly international event, the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon boasts participants from all over Malaysia and over 70 countries. The Kuala Lumpur Marathon Standard Chartered 2019 remains Malaysia’s premier running event with top runners competing for a total of USD 125,000 in prize money.

For more information on the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon, please log onto: http://www.kl-marathon.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/SCKLmarathon.

Standard Chartered Malaysia

Standard Chartered Bank, a member of the Standard Chartered Group was established in Malaysia in 1875. As Malaysia’s first bank, Standard Chartered leads the way through product innovation, consistent and strong growth performance and sustainability initiatives. The Bank provides a comprehensive range of financial solutions to corporates, institutions and individuals through its network of branches across Malaysia. The Bank has an Islamic banking subsidiary, Standard Chartered Saadiq; a global shared services centre, Standard Chartered Global Business Services; a sales arm, Price Solutions and an offshore facility in Labuan.

Standard Chartered employs over 7,000 employees in all its Malaysian operations.

Standard Chartered

We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 60 of the world’s most dynamic markets, and serving clients in a further 85. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, Here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges as well as the Bombay and National Stock Exchanges in India.

For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

About Dirigo Events

The Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon is owned by Dirigo Events Sdn. Bhd, an award-winning event management company founded in 2011 by Rainer Biemans and Gloria Ng. The event not only draws a large number of Malaysian runners, but attracts runners from more than 70 countries around the world. Rainer Biemans and Gloria Ng have a combined experience of over 49 years in executing and creating world-class and impactful events for international clients around the world such as Europe, Brunei, India and Singapore.

Apart from owning the Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon, Dirigo also provides operational services for other mass participation events.

For more information on Dirigo Events, please contact +603 7621 7787 or email dirigo@dirigo.com.my

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Posted in 2019, 3km, 5km, breakfast, Children, Dataran Merdeka, Dirigo Events, Family, Fitness, Fun Run, Happy Runner, KLSCM, Kuala Lumpur, Media, press release, Race Organiser, Running, September | Tagged 1km, 3km, 5km, breakfast, dataran merdeka, Dirigo Events, Family, Friendship Run, fun run, happy runner, Kid's Dash, KLSCM 2019, kuala lumpur, Marathon, Press Release, Running, Saturday, Standard Chartered Bank | Leave a comment

New Ironman 70.3 Desaru Coast 2020

Posted on September 20, 2019 by Gus Ghani

New Ironman 70.3 Desaru Coast 2020

Editor’s Note

Aside from the existing Langkawi Ironman, this newly introduced Ironman 70.3 Desaru Coast is a welcome boost for Malaysia’s Sporting Industry, as well as for Tourism Malaysia.

No doubt, having a second Ironman 70.3 in Malaysia will excite and motivate more Malaysians to showcase their Triathlon skills, and use it as a springboard event to pursuit the ultimate triathletes’ dream of being a full-fledged Ironman.

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IRONMAN Langkawi started off in 2000, and ran for a decade and was reintroduced back in 2014 with the support of Malaysia Major Events under the Ministry of Tourism.

Who Is The Driver of IRONMAN Asia Pacific?

GEOFF MEYER’S PROFILE

Managing Director of IRONMAN Asia

After competing in his first triathlon event in 1986, Geoff Meyer caught the thrill of the ‘events world’ and has always had some level of involvement since.

Now, with over 15 years’ Event management experience, Geoff has worked extensively across Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

Geoff’s team at IRONMAN Asia Pacific are responsible for delivering over 45 events in the region annually and his vast experience includes all facets of event management from development to delivery.

Along with the IRONMAN suite of events, Geoff has been key in the delivery and management of several National and World Championship Events including ITU World Cup, ITU World Championships, the UCI Road Cycling World Championships and Auckland Marathon.

Geoff is a strong and respected team leader, very experienced at managing the triple constraint for projects: cost, time and quality; and is committed to the delivery of consistently professional, safe, world class events that generate excitement, inspiration, passion, personal growth and participation for all ages and abilities.

🏊‍♂️🚴‍♂️🏃🏻‍♂️Launching of IRONMAN 70.3 Desaru Coast, Triathlon, Sprints & IRONKIDS Desaru Coast..

Launch Date | 27 Aug 2019

Launch Venue | Westin Hotel KL

Race Date | 17~19 April 2020

Race Venue | Desaru Coast

Categories | Ironman 70.3, Triathlon, Sprints & IRONKIDS

LIVE VIDEOS

World Championship Points

Several Hotels Available

All Systems Go

Westin Hotel KL

💥.. Keep updated with sporting NEWS & VIEWS..

FB – https://www.facebook.com/gusghanisupercoach/

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/gusghani

Website – www.gusghani.com

Registration is now open! www.IRONMAN.com/Desaru70.3

DID YOU KNOW..?

✔️So far, 15,000 have completed Ironman Malaysia.

✔️Uncle YEE SZE MUN is the first Ironman Malaysia HALL OF FAME inductee. His ‘never give up’ attitude, and his generosity, kindness & humility inspire many Malaysians..

Special Acknowledgements

Thank you Ironman Malaysia for inviting the author to the exciting launch of the brand new Ironman 70.3 Desaru Coast 2020, and like many fans of IRONMAN, we are looking forward to this inaugural Swim, Bike & Run in the beautiful southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DESARU COAST MALAYSIA TO HOST INAUGURAL DESARU COAST MULTISPORT

FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY IRONMAN

Held in southern Malaysia’s tropical seaside destination from 17-19 April 2020

IRONMAN 70.3 Desaru Coast offers 60 qualifying race slots for the 2020 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships
First-timer friendly formats include 5150 Desaru Coast, Sprint Desaru Coast and IRONKIDS Desaru Coast

KUALA LUMPUR / TAMPA, Fla. (27 August 2019)

– IRONMAN, a Wanda Sports Group company, today announced its event expansion in Asia with a brand-new multisport festival in Desaru Coast, Malaysia.

Desaru Coast Multisport Festival presented by IRONMAN will be held from 17-19 April 2020; the festival is the first of its kind in Asia, and will comprise an IRONMAN® 70.3® triathlon, 5150 TM Triathlon along with IRONKIDS® and Sprint races.

The multisport festival weekend will feature IRONMAN 70.3 Desaru Coast, the latest addition to the IRONMAN 70.3 Asia race calendar.

The 5150 Desaru Coast, Sprint Desaru Coast and IRONKIDS Desaru Coast races will provide a fresh challenge for newcomers in the sport of triathlon.

Geoff Meyer, Managing Director of IRONMAN Asia, said, “We are thrilled to announce the launch of Asia’s first-ever multisport festival, a testament to the growing appetite for triathlon in Asia, and IRONMAN’s commitment to developing the sport in the region. The three-day event is designed to offer athletes a wider selection of race destinations and distances in Asia, also attracting newcomers.”

Situated on the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia, Desaru Coast presents a scenic Race course with a pristine 17-km beachfront that faces eastwards over the clear ocean waters with white sandy beaches and warm tropical weather. The course will start with a single-loop 1.9-km (1.2-mile) swim, with a start line located footsteps away from the official hotel, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort.

This is followed by a 90-km (56-mile) ride on a two-loop bike course along the coastline on smooth, flat roads. Athletes will then take on a 21.1-km (13.1-mile) shaded run course to the finish line at The Westin Desaru Coast Resort.

The race offers 60 qualifying slots to the 2020 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Taupō, New Zealand taking place on November 28-29, 2020.

“The festival environment will provide athletes of all ages and abilities with a truly unique race experience. The combination of sea and jungle make for the perfect location for athletes to enjoy their surroundings while competing. With the support of the Malaysian government, we are excited to continue bringing endurance sport to more people in Malaysia and welcome more athletes into our IRONMAN Ohana,” said CG Lim, Regional Director, Malaysia, IRONMAN Asia.

A new, integrated coastal destination resort in Malaysia, Desaru Coast is infused with globally renowned hotels and resorts, two championship golf courses, a conference centre, and an adventure waterpark. The destination enjoys a moderate, windy climate year-round with a natural landscape to Welcome athletes from all over the world.

“We are delighted to host the first ever Desaru Coast Multisport Festival presented by IRONMAN in Asia and look forward to welcoming not just the athletes, but also their families and friends to Desaru Coast.

With great climate and terrain, we hope that by hosting more international sporting events like Desaru Coast Multisport Festival presented by IRONMAN, we are able to propel Johor and Desaru Coast’s reputation as a preferred sports tourism destination in the Southeast Asian region,” said Roslina Arbak, Chief Executive Officer, Desaru Development Holdings One Sdn Bhd (DH1).

The Desaru Coast Multisport Festival presented by IRONMAN is part of the destination’s annuale events programme, a curation of special events focusing on sports, lifestyle, and entertainment, designed exclusively to nurture Desaru Coast as a signature events destination. Located in the south eastern region of Malaysia, Desaru Coast can be easily accessed by land, sea and air, and offers a premium blend of tourism offerings which not only cater to high calibre sporting events, but also allow athletes and visitors alike an endless opportunity for escape.

IRONMAN 70.3 Desaru Coast and 5150 Desaru Coast will join the IRONMAN Asia circuit as the third and fourth races in Malaysia, adding to existing races which includes IRONMAN Malaysia and IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi.

Registration is now open for the Desaru Coast Multisport Festival presented by IRONMAN.

For more information, visit www.ironman.com/desaru70.3 and

www.ironman.com/5150desaru.

For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, visit www.ironman.com.

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About The IRONMAN Group

As part of Wanda Sports Group, the IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN®

Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN®70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series®, IRONKIDS®, ITU World Triathlon Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon and The Sun-Herald City2Surf® presented by Westpac, Ultra-Trail ® World Tour events including Tarawera Ultra and Ultra-Trail Australia™, mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world.

Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with more than 235 events across 55+ countries. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.

About Wanda Sports Group

Wanda Sports Group (Nasdaq: WSG) is a leading global sports events, media and marketing platform with a mission to unite people in sports and enable athletes and fans to live their passions and dreams. Through our businesses, including Infront and The IRONMAN Group, we have significant intellectual property rights, long-term relationships and broad execution capabilities, enabling us to deliver unrivalled sports event experiences, creating access to engaging content and building inclusive communities. We offer a comprehensive array of events, marketing and media services through three primary segments: Mass Participation, Spectator Sports and Digital, Production, Sports Solutions

(DPSS). Our full-service platform creates value for our partners and clients as well as other stakeholders in the sports ecosystem, from rights owners, to brands and advertisers, and to fans and athletes.

Headquartered in Beijing, China, Wanda Sports Group has more than 60 offices and 1,600 employees around the world.

About Desaru Coast

Desaru Coast is curated as a new integrated destination resort in Malaysia with a portfolio of globally renowned hotels and resorts, namely Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, as well as One&Only Desaru Coast. Desaru Coast is also home to Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark – one of the world’s biggest water parks, Desaru Coast Conference Centre – a fully equipped conference facility, The Els Club Desaru Coast – 45 holes.

About The Author

📺 SUBSCRIBE To My YouTube Channel

Video : Traditional puzzle

Posted in 2019, 2020, April, Carnival, Hotel, Ironman 70.3, johor, Live Video, New Event, Official Launch, Premier Event, Press Conference, press release, Registration, Social Media, Sports, Triathlete, Triathlon, Video | Tagged 2020, Desaru Coast, Ironman 70.3, johor, Media, New Event, Official Launch, Press Release, sports, Swim Bike Run, Triathlon | Leave a comment

Orang Asli Faces Extinction by Gus Ghani

Posted on July 12, 2019 by Gus Ghani

✍️ Orang Asli Faces Extinction by Gus Ghani

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ORANG ASLI BACKGROUND

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🌳“Orang Asli” (literally translated as original PEOPLE) is the Malaysian term used for the groups of people indigenous to Peninsular Malaysia and are the oldest inhabitants.

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There are 18 Orang Asli tribes that still exist, categorised under three main groups according to their different languages and customs i.e. Semang (or Negrito), generally confined to the northern portion of the Peninsular, Senoi, residing in the central region and Proto-Malay (or Aboriginal Malay), in the southern region.

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⚠️170,000+ OA Inhabitants who face many discriminations.

🚸45,000 OA School Children & many don’t have money to even go to school.

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NO EQUAL RIGHTS

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No one really knows how to treat the Orang Asli properly, and I wonder if it is due to ignorance, apathy or plain old discrimination.

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What I do know is that coercing these oldest inhabitants away from their sacred land with bribes or threats is totally wrong and inhumane. It’s also clearly disrespectful to the Orang Asli and against their basic rights to assume that they should be integrated into our modern society; even up to the point of denouncing their animistic beliefs involuntarily.

SHACKLED BY SOCIETY

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It saddens me to see Orang Asli settlements where they are forced to live in poorly built brick houses when they clearly prefer to be left alone to live and roam free in the jungle like their ancestors.

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Whenever I meet the Orang Asli in these transient settlements, I can see in their eyes that their spirits are in limbo, unsettled and always longing to return to their familiar jungle setting. Then, I feel guilty being part of society and part responsible for putting them in such a pitiful and unwanted state.

FRIEND OR FOE

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The sad reality is that these jungle dwellers are easily duped and bullied by cunning outsiders to give-up their legal entitlements and human rights because they are simple and peace loving people.

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Thankfully, they have important allies with certain non-profit organisations and groups who are willing to defend their legal RIGHTS, even when the odds are always against them.

SENTENCED TO DEATH

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Without exaggeration, the biggest threat to the existence of the Orang Asli is deforestation. Since the Orang Asli depends entirely on the rainforest for their livelihood and their lives, destroying the rainforest will cut-off their essential food and water supply, as well as prevent them from earning a vital income from selling food and handicrafts sourced from the jungle.

SEIZING ANCESTRAL LAND

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The poor indigenous people can never fully defend their ancestral land against being taken over or destroyed by the powerful timber tycoons, the mining magnates, the rich developers, and the government-backed palm oil industry.

In the high-stakes land-grabbing game, the massive profits are too attractive to resist for corrupt officials and unethical corporations, and the lowly Orang Asli are just collateral damage in their eyes.

WASTING PRECIOUS TIME

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Instead of fighting global warming & climate change through extensive national programmes, our Ministries & State Governments are more concerned about protecting and collaborating with rich corporations who are destroying and looting our natural resources for their own selfish gains without any consideration for the enormous social and environmental costs to the rest of society. Unfortunately, everyday in the news, there are many nationwide cases of environmental destruction resulting in loss of lives, livelihood and not to mention, posing severe and long-term health risks to the rakyat. This is an article by National Geographic on the controversial palm oil production.

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Looking after the environment is everybody’s responsibility, so I can’t fathom why the Government is not taking decisive actions to combat Climate Change & Global Warming , and why no one is made accountable. Judging by a recent march by environmentalists in KL, I am not the only one who is aghast at the Government’s lack of action to tackle climate change (read the newspaper coverage here). Malaysians must pressure the government to waste no more time, and start taking global warming seriously, instead of burying their heads in the proverbial sand. Of course, individuals must also take personal action to stop environmental pollution, and below are some simple ideas on how to reduce your carbon footprint and be an effective modern day ecowarrior.

BE AN ENVIRONMENTALIST

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STOP USING PLASTICS: The amount of plastic waste is getting so huge that recycling and reducing the use of plastics is no longer enough. Now, we need to stop using plastics by using reusable bags and containers when we go shopping. Watch this short video for a clearer explanation.
REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS: Avoid driving and take public transport, carpool or cycle to your destinations. If you can afford it, buy an electric car!
BUY PRODUCTS FROM AN ETHICAL SOURCE: Support and buy from eco friendly companies.
SAVE ELECTRICITY & CONSERVE WATER: Use energy-saving devices and figure out how to reduce your usage of electricity and water around the home and in the workplace.

ORANG ASLI TEACHINGS

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Orang Asli is the guardian of our precious rainforest, and we can learn a lot from the Orang Asli on how to respect and preserve our rainforest, and how to use the rainforest’s natural resources for food, medicine, ecotourism – all in a sustainable way.

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GOMBAK JUNGLE SCHOOL

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Why not visit an Orang Asli Settlement & experience their traditional lifestyle with Encik Raman bin Bah Tuin from Semai tribe & Senoi group.

Video: Trying out a traditional blow pipe 1

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Raman is the Founder of Jungle School and he organises jungle tours for nature lovers, tourists, students and corporations.

Video: Trying out a traditional blow pipe 2

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Here are some of the exciting Jungle School activities :-

✔️ Watch first-hand Orang Asli mothers weaving various traditional handicrafts.

✔️ Trek through the jungle, while identifying many unique flora and fauna.

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✔️ Build a day-shelter using ‘bertam’ leaves collected from the jungle.

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✔️ Learn fire-starting using the wood you collected.

✔️ Learn to use a traditional blow pipe.

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Video : Poison Dart

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Video : New Hunter

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✔️ Play a puzzle solving game known as “Jah re Noi” .

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✔️ Be entertained by Raman playing a traditional nose flute called “Pensol”.

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Video : Raman playing nose flute

Video : Universal Sounds

Video : Funky Sounds

✔️ Enjoy a traditional lunch of rice, chicken, fish, vegetables and tea – all cooked in bamboo.

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Video – Traditional Cooking

Video – Ready To Eat

Video – Lunch Is Served

🌈 Indeed, why not support ecotourism like Jungle School which will benefit the Orang Asli community directly in a sustainable manner.

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For more information & booking, go to Jungle School https://lokalocal.com/tour/1419/1-day-programme-with-jungle-school

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🌏SAVE OUR ROCK

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Climate Change & Global Warming indicate that our planet is reacting to overwhelming environmental destruction by mankind. What’s more shocking is that Governments & Global Leaders are not taking drastic steps to change archaic laws in order to protect our lonely planet.

Video : Jungle Sounds

The powerful elites who control & influence international policies have everything to gain from maintaining the status quo, and much to lose if current failed systems are overhauled. To make matters worse, the average man & family have either been made or kept weak and poor by increasing debt through biased education and prejudiced employment systems. We have been brainwashed by Big Brother to support consumerism & commercialism to pay for the luxurious lifestyle of the rich and industry owners.

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At the same time, not much support and explanation given for the need to keep our environment pollution-free, and not enough studies and action taken to halt and penalise protected industries who pollute our air and water.

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Everybody has the right to pursue happiness and wealth, but not at the expense of minorities like the peace loving Orang Asli, and not when the processes are clearly not sustainable.

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Video: Trying out a traditional blow pipe 3

About The Author

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📺 SUBSCRIBE To My YouTube Channel

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Posted in 2019, Orang Asli, Selangor, Writing | Tagged Deforestation, environment, Gombak, Green Tips, Indigenous, Jungle School, Orang Asli, Pollution | Leave a comment

SHAMROCK RUN KL 2019 – Review by Happy Runner

Posted on June 27, 2019 by Gus Ghani

SHAMROCK RUN KL 2019 – Review by Happy Runner

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Editor’s Note

How was my first Shamrock Run?

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This was a neatly organised run with 800 runners including families and kids enjoying a beautiful route around the expansive UIAM (Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia) campus under a clear blue morning sky.

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TOP HIGHLIGHTS

✔️First time running at UIAM Campus

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✔️Great route with fresh air & sunshine

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❤️Helpful volunteers

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✔️Professionally Organised

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🍀🏃🇮🇪 SHAMROCK RUN KL 2019

Date: Saturday, 30 Mac 2019

Venue: UIA Stadium Gombak

Distance (Start): 10km (7:30am) & 5km (7:40am)

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Organiser: MALAYSIAN IRISH ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (MIAA), Embassy of Ireland in Malaysia, and @obriens_malaysia

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👥GUESTS OF HONOUR

⭐His Excellency Eamon Hickey – Ambassador of Ireland to Malaysia

⭐Hafidz Kosai – MIAA President

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⭐Brian Pua – MD, O’Briens Irish Sandwich & Café edf_soft

FUN PACKED

🌈POT OF GOLD theme

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💃 Energising Aerobics Warm-up

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👕 1000+/- Fun Runners

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✔️ Lucky Draw & Best Prizes

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🥪 O’Briens Sandwiches For Finishers

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👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families Welcomed

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GREEN GOMBAK

The serene and spacious campus provided a great backdrop for runners to leave behind the bustling city for a few hours and experience the peaceful atmosphere and green surroundings of Gombak.

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Unlike the more cluttered University campuses in the city, this university makes good use of its huge land by spreading out its low rise buildings among a nicely landscaped environment.

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For scholars, I’m sure this peaceful place is great for studying and contemplating. As for running, the quiet roads were ideal to tune-out and just enjoy one’s run without any distractions.

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EVERYONE EQUAL

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As the Race Director Hafidz had emphasised, this was a non-competitive run so as to encourage new, old & young runners to enjoy the run at their own individual pace.

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At the same time, every runner was treated equally as there were no Timing Chip to separate the fast & slow runners.

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STROLL ON

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There were many parents who ran joyfully together with their children, and a few running Dads & Mom’s even ran while pushing their respective tots in strollers.

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EVERYBODY WINS

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In the spirit of forging closer ties between Malaysia & Ireland, there were many Malaysian runners dressed in the Leprechaun theme, and many of them were rewarded with prizes for their costumes.

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I was fortunate enough to win a cool running cap as part of the many lucky draw prizes.

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Most importantly, every runner who crossed the Finish Line were treated as a winner by the chirpy numerous volunteers and crew.

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GALA FINALE

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All Finishers gladly accepted their free Water, Isotonic Drinks, Bananas & healthy O’brien Sandwich at the Finish Area..🍌🥪🥤

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The impressive sports stadium provided a perfect venue for the runners to start and end their run in style.

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After the race, the runners were happy to enjoy their snacks together, and of course, the celebrating runners were busy taking selfies of their shiny finisher medals…

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EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS

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I was pleasantly surprised at how well the Organisers & Partners managed all aspects of the event, and more so, I could see how hard the Event Crew had worked in making the Shamrock KL Run a thoroughly enjoyable running experience even for a running stalwart like me!

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IRISH EYES

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CONGRATULATIONS ALL FINISHERS

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ARE WE THERE YET?

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MORE COOL RUNNING Hacks by FB Happy Runner⬇️

https://www.youtube.com/user/gusghani

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MORE COOL VIDEOS at YouTube Gus Ghani⬇️

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Video – Technical Briefing

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FAMILY FIRST

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Posted in 10km, 2019, 5km, Costume, Event Organiser, Family, Fitness, Fun Run, Happy Runner, New Route, Review, Road Running, Runners, Running, Selangor, Sports, University | Tagged Costume, Family, fun run, Gombak, happy runner, Ireland, Leprechaun, MIAA, Running, selangor, Shamrock Run KL, UIAM | Leave a comment

August Man Run 2019 – Review by Happy Runner

Posted on June 14, 2019 by Gus Ghani

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August Man Run 2019 – Review by Happy Runner

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Editor’s Note

The second edition of the August Man Run was held at Tun Dr Ismail, and it proved to be equally enjoyable as its predecessor which was held at Lot 10 KL back in 2017.

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This year, more than 800 runners, from elite to fun runners, had participated in the 12km or 6km categories.

Video – Start Pen

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Menara KEN and the surrounding affluent neighborhood had provided a most pleasant running backdrop for us to test our fitness & speed levels.

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EVENT INFO

🌓🏃🏻‍♂️The August Man Run 2019 (2nd Edition)
Race Date : 20th April 2019
Time : 4:30pm – 8:30pm
Venue : KEN TTDI, KL
Distance/Flag Off : 12km/5:00pm & 6km/5:15pm RUNNER’S ENTITLEMENT……

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💜12KM (Competitive Run) ✅Event tee ✅Fashionable tee (after the race) ✅Completion medal ✅E-certificate ✅Personalised timing chip.. 💚6KM (Non Competitive Run) – Event tee & Completion Medal……

SENSIBLE TIMING

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It’s most unusual for running events to be flagged off at 5pm, but I prefer to run in daylight rather than at night because I can take clearer photos of runners in action.

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Starting and finishing earlier, also mean that the participants can make plans for dinner after the race. Otherwise, Saturday night races would normally start at 8pm which clashes with dinner time, and subsequently, upsetting our biological clock because we are forced to eat later than usual.

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GROWLING ZOMBIES

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Video – Cut Off Time

I don’t like night marathons which start at 8pm, 12am or 1am for the same reasons that our eating and sleeping patterns will be out of whack – its effects are similar to suffering from jetlag.

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After all, running 42km is hard enough without such additional physical challenges of sleep & food deprivation.

CIVIC-MINDEDNESS

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On top of everything, the local police did recommend for this earlier start, so that the roads could be reopen by 7:30pm, and hence, the public road users would not be inconvenienced while they ventured out for that evening.

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It’s good for event organisers to make reasonable compromise and reduce disruptions to the local residents as much as possible. So, good job Augustman 2019 for being civic-minded and respecting the local community. When there is no complaint from the public, it would be much easier to hold future running events in this new venue of TTDI neighbourhood.

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GUEST STAR

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The start pen in front of KEN was brimming with runners who were raring to go when the Guest-of-Honour YB Hannah Yeoh (Segambut MP) told them to enjoy the run and return safely, before she flagged them off.

Video : YB Hannah Yeoh

FIRST HALF

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The first 3km took the runners on wide roads which were flanked by houses and shop lots until we turned towards the famous Taman Bukit Rimba.

Video – Elite Runner

Video – Blistering Pace

The first and last water station was set-up in front of Insan Bakti. This was the U-turn point for the 6km runners. Meanwhile, the 12km runners entered the private road gates there which lead them to the Sime Darby Convention Centre at 6km point.

Video – Passing KLGCC

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Video – Good Runners

HILLY CHALLENGE

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Although, the 12km route is not such a long distance, there were many uphill and downhill sections which made the race more demanding and more interesting.

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Video – A Quick Drink

COSMOPOLITAN CROWD

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There was a mix of runners of all levels and from different walks of life which reflected the broad appeal of the event. Being an inclusive and a community based event with plenty of attractive goodies and prizes certainly attracted both elite and fun runners.

Video – Emcee Chic

Can you believe that 12km Runners receive a cool finisher t-shirt in addition to the standard event Tee!

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AFTER PARTY

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There were plenty of drinks and snacks which were provided by the event sponsors for runners to recuperate.

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There was also a private party for VIP Guests with free-flow beer and sugary finger desserts & mousse.

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For most runners, the NATURAL HIGH of reaching the Finish Line and being rewarded by a refreshing drink of water is sufficient to end this memorable event on a HAPPY NOTE.

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SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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Many thanks to Ruben and the August Man Run Team for a splendid event worthy of all discerning runners.

Not forgetting, a special thanks for the very helpful & cheerful crew.

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https://www.facebook.com/Virtual-Sports-2189847627714607/

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Posted in 12km, 2019, 6km, Competitive Run, Event, Fun Run, Happy Runner, Kuala Lumpur, Magazine, Media, New Route, Race Review, Road Race, Runners, Running, Running Event, Sports, Video | Tagged 12km, 6km, August Man Run 2019, fun run, happy runner, Live Videos, Magazine, Media, Road Race, Running, Taman Tun Dr Ismail | Leave a comment

GUA MUSANG FIASCO & BEING A CITIZEN OF THE WORLD by Virtual Sports

Posted on June 11, 2019 by Gus Ghani

GUA MUSANG FIASCO & BEING A CITIZEN OF THE WORLD by Virtual Sports

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WHERE ARE WE HEADING?

What’s the point of modernisation, when we can’t take care of our environment & ALL our citizens?

10 years ago, environmentalists already warned that the logging, mining and plantations were going to destroy Gua Musang forests and kill off the indigenous Orang Asli inhabitants.

Now, politicians & public are acting surprised that the OA is dying because of malnutrition and weak immune system. Of course, when corporations and profiteers are allowed to pollute the rivers & cut-down trees over decades unchecked, the OA will suffer directly & severely – it’s not rocket science!

Do we want to continue to support leaders and politicians who seek short term profits and sacrifice our precious natural resources, not to mention bully, threaten and evict the peaceful OA tribes who have lived self-sufficiently in the jungle before outsiders intervened?

The 14 lives lost so far and the other 40 over Orang Asli hospitalised did not have to suffer because the problem was preventable.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

We can no longer allow corruption and greed to favour the few at the cost of the many. We must fight for equal rights for ALL citizens, and not allow powerful groups to get away with blue murder and steal our natural resources anymore!

Malaysia is heading for a Environmental Disaster, and already, there are unbelievable air & river pollution, and extensive deforestation in Kuala Terengganu, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Pahang, Selangor, Malacca, Johor & Sarawak.

We must tell our leaders that we want to preserve our environment, because building new international airports, man made islands, more concrete skyscrapers will only make the elite richer at the expense of diminishing the quality of life for the majority of hard working citizens.

TIME TO GROW UP

We all got to do our part to ease global warming, no matter how trivial it may be. When everybody is working towards the same positive goals, together, we can make a change and move mountains for a better future.

The effects of global industrialisation is destroying our planet, and no one has the luxury of sitting back and just be an inactive passenger anymore. Either you are part of the solution, or you become part of the problem.

There are so many things that you as an individual can contribute to preserving our backyard, our forests, our rivers, our clean air, and our natural heritage.

You certainly don’t have to be an environmentalist to love mother nature, but everything that you do will have an impact on your surroundings, your neighborhood, your country and the planet!

WHERE TO START

My advice is that you start by doing some research on basic environmental topics such as global warming, deforestation, waste pollution, environmental protection.

Don’t just read about how you can save the environment, make sure that you take immediate steps to help out. For example, use less plastics, burn less fuel, reduce wastage, use less water & electricity, recycle where possible.

Don’t forget to support suppliers and vendors who uphold good environmental practices.

Choose a topic that you have a passion for such as animal protection or save the ocean or trees. In my case, I concentrate more on preserving the Orang Asli natural habitat. It really does not matter, which area that you focus on as long as you are doing something positive for the environment.

If you need any advice on what to do, drop me an email gusghani@gmail.com.

You are welcome to follow my postings on the Environment at Virtual Sports (see link below)..and together, we can share some good ideas to make this world more beautiful…

VIRTUAL SPORTS

About The Author

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Posted in 2019, Commentary, Community, Environment, Orang Asli, Uncategorized | Tagged Deforestation, environment, Global Warming, Gua Musang, Indigenous, Natural Resources, Orang Asli, Pollution, Preservation, Save Our Planet, Virtual Sports | Leave a comment

INDIGENOUS MALAYSIA 2019 by Virtual Sports

Posted on June 4, 2019 by Gus Ghani

INDIGENOUS MALAYSIA 2019 by Virtual Sports

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Editor’s Note

Since the launch of Virtual Sports (VS) six months ago, the VS Team has donated RM500 to the Orang Asli thanks to the generous participants of the past 4 Virtual Runs organised by Virtual Sports – Tribal VR 2018, Promise VR 2019, Kerchang VR 2019 & Jakrenoi 2019.

Now, Virtual Sports is proud to collaborate with Soara Industries & BiiB, and together, they have created the groundbreaking Indigenous Malaysia 2019 where runners & netizens will have the chance to run and support the Orang Asli by providing lighting to OA homes that need it. Imagine, how much bleaker life would be if you didn’t have lights in your home!

Indigenous Malaysia 2019 (IM 2019) would like to extend a sincere invitation to all runners & netizens to recognise and help the less fortunate Orang Asli in a meaningful & practical way. Of course, IM 2019 will also provide participating runners with an unforgettable and joyous experience, as well as some really cool gifts.

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💥NEW VIRTUAL RUN IS HERE!! It’s your chance to run for COOL stuff, and BRIGHTEN the homes of indigenous Orang Asli..?!

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Welcome to INDIGENOUS MALAYSIA Virtual Run 2019 in collaboration between Soara Industries, BiiB & Virtual Sports!!

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VIRTUAL RUN | Indigenous Malaysia 2019

Distance | 10km (Accumulative)

VENUE | Anywhere you like

RACE Period | 1st July (0:00) – 4th Aug 2019 (23:59)

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REGISTRATION INFO

🐦Early Bird Registration: First 200 Slots / 3rd June – 17th June 2019 (23:59)

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🏃Normal Registration: 18th June – 1st Aug 2019 (23:59) Malaysian Time

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🎁FINISHERS ENTITLEMENT – Special Orang Asli themed MEDAL & for FIRST 200 early bird registrants, a personal ECO-FRIENDLY, REUSABLE BAMBOO STRAW..!!

Attractive Customised Event T-shirt is optional for those who want one for bragging rights.

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💡PAY-IT-FORWARD : By joining this event, participants will be contributing in the one of the most basic needs for the Orang Asli communities. Light Source! Something basic such as lighting which we take for granted, many Orang Asli homes remain without lighting!! So, we will literally light up their homes through this charitable project.

This virtual run also aims to create awareness of our important indigenous heritage among runners and netizens.

CLICK TO REGISTER…

About The Author

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Posted in 10km, 2019, Charity, Happy Runner, health, July, June, New Event, Orang Asli, Preview, Registration, Runners, Running, Running Community, Sports, Virtual Run, Virtual Running, Virtual Sports | Tagged BiiB, Charity, Malaysia Indigenous 2019, New Event, Orang Asli, Running, Virtual Run, Virtual Sports | Leave a comment

Best Training Tips by Coach Gus

Posted on May 14, 2019 by Gus Ghani

Best Training Tips after long lay off by Coach Gus

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Editor’s Note

If you want to go back to the gym after a long lay-off of more than 3 months, then here are a few useful pointers that Coach Gus has compiled in order to help you ease back into the swing of things and keep you on the right track.

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For your added reference, I have also included below some key information about one of my favourite gym, namely Blitz Gym in Subang Jaya. Video – Blitz Gym Layout.

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Workout Programme : Back To Gym by Coach Gus

Date : 05 May 2019

Venue : Blitz Gym, SS15 Subang Jaya

Tunnel Vision

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The biggest barrier for most people who want to start or resume a regular training schedule is your mind. If you experience any kind of mental resistance which is preventing you from going to the gym, just switch your brain off!

Overthinking and external distractions can easily terminate your plan to go to the gym. Remind yourself how important it is for you to start working out again – for good health, fitness and mental well-being. Stay focus on your goal to step inside the gym, and don’t let anyone, including family or friends, distract you from your important mission. After all, you can’t help others effectively until you help yourself first.

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Once, you have successfully entered the gym, half the battle is done, and by following some of the training tips below for Training Day 1 & subsequent days, you will soon get back your training mojo – just trust yourself.

Starter Training Tips

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10 minutes warm-up with slow jog/walk
Do both Static & Dynamic stretching exercises
Use light weights at first because you don’t want to shock your body after long absence
Increase weights gradually in line with the increase in your strength over time.
Lower the weights if you cannot execute the right techniques.
Target just 10-20 reps for 1-2 sets at first.
To increase strength, increase the weights.
To increase endurance, increase the repetition.
Use free weights only if you know the right techniques.
To increase resistance, carry barbell or dumbbells as you do the exercises.
Use exercise machines when you want to be sure about exercising the right muscle. Furthermore, exercise machines are safer if you don’t have an workout partner to spot you.
Drink 1.5 litres of water during exercise session.
In the beginning, keep your workout duration to one hour or less. Pace yourself and don’t overdo it during the early days.
The key to long-term progress is to exercise regularly with adequate active rest and recovery in between training days.

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Recommended Strengthening Exercises

For a good overall workout of the major muscle groups, try these tried & tested favourites :-

Sit-Ups & Back Extensions
Leg Squats
Forward & Backward Lunges
Chest & Shoulder Press
Bicep Curls & Triceps Pressdown
Leg Extensions & Curls
Lat Pulldown
Using a chin up apparatus, hang with your feet off the ground as long as you arms can hold.

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Training Logbook

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Keep a personal log of all your workouts, and take a base reading of your weight and resting heart rate in order to periodically check the progress of your fitness levels.

Take a selfie of yourself in your underwear or shorts, and use it as your “before shot” for future comparisons.

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Neighborhood Boutique Gym

The Blitz Gym in SS15 Subang Jaya is an ideal place for me to workout because it’s well equipped with free weights, exercise stations and cardio machines; and it’s clean and reasonably priced. Plus, its location and operating hours works for me.

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Personal Trainer Available

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If you are looking for a fitness coach, feel free to drop me an email at gusghani@gmail.com .

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About The Author

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