Using football to teach children about nutrition

By : Harun Jau Posted on : Saturday, March 25, 2017 

KOTA PADAWAN:  30 coaches  from the communities in Padawan areas are participating in a pilot programme called “Eat Right to Play Right Programme”.

It is a programme organised by One Goal Malaysia under World Vision Malaysia in partnership with Zurich Insurance and Takaful Malaysia Berhad, FAM Football Association of Malaysia and AFC Asian Football Confederation.

The “Eat Right to Play Right Programme”, to be held at Kpg Semaba Football field  from  24   to 26 March, 2017, engages with communities, using football to educate children on the importance of nutrition.

Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) Chairman, Ir. Lo Khere Chiang (seated fifth left), MPP Deputy Chairman, Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim, Terry Leong (seated third right),  Yee Shiao Fong (seated second right) and others posing for a group photo after the press conference yesterday.

The three-day training course aims to see the participants work with the “Eat Right to Play Right Programme” to bring transformation to their respective communities. This is strictly a grassroot programme, aiming to impact the community and educate the young generation on the importance of proper nutrition.

One Goal Malaysia/World Vision Malaysia CEO,  Terry Leong told a press conference at  MPP here yesterday  that about 10% of the children below 12 years old in Malaysia were undernourished.

Statistics in 2015 also showed that 15% of the Malaysian children under 12 were obese.

“So what we want to do with One Goal in Malaysia is to address this issue of under nutrition and over nutrition and we do it through football because every child likes to play football.

“So we want to use football as a platform to teach and promote healthy eating  and healthy lifestyle to children,” she said. 

MPP Chairman, Ir. Lo Khere Chiang   said: “I believe that we are going to bring change and instill confidence in our young people in the kampung.

‘I think this is one way of telling them to do the right things and  get away from drugs. It is not just about playing football. It is also about growing healthy.

“I think this is a very noble thing. That is why I am very proud and very happy to be involved in this project,” Lo said.

He also thanked the World Vision and its partner for making Padawan its first stop.

Zurich Insurance Malaysia  Berhad’s Head of Brand Marketing and Communications, Yee Shiao Fong said Zurich Insurance and Takaful Malaysia Berhad had committed RM4 million from 2015-2018 or RM1 million per year to the programme.

Also present at the press conference were MPP Deputy Chairman, Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim,  Assistant Director of Prevention Agency of ADDK Sarawak, Devan Anak Arup and treasurer of Kelab Bola Sepak Premier Skills Kota Padawan. Lee Chia Soon.

The Sarawak supporters of the programme are Padawan Municipal Council, AADK Sarawak, Kelab Bola Sepak Premier Skills Kota Padawan.