Senior citizen now able to swim, thanks to ministry initiative

KOTA KINABALU: As the mother of a competitive swimmer, it is ironic that 69-year-old Janet Tye never learnt how to swim.

“I used to watch from the terraces while my son trained,” she said.

Her son Jackson Hong, now aged 42, used to represent Sabah in swimming competitions nationwide.

“I never considered taking swimming lessons because between chauffeuring my son to his training sessions, managing household chores and taking care of the family, there was hardly any time for myself,” said the full-time housewife.

Swimming remained a skill she never acquired – until now.

Tye, 69, says it is never too late to learn new skills.

Thanks to the Sports Basic Skills Training Programme for Swimming (KLAS Renang) initiative by the Youth and Sports Ministry, Tye and 13 of her friends signed up for swimming lessons at the Penampang Sports Complex pool here.

She said it was never too late to dive in and learn new skills.

Thanking all the professional coaches, she said that her new skills would come in handy, especially during emergencies like floods.

KLAS Renang, launched as a pilot project at the Penampang sports complex last year, provides free swimming lessons to children aged six to 12 from the B40 group.

The programme was later expanded to senior citizens from ages 60 to 75 and people with disabilities (OKU) from ages six to 15, later that year.

“The programme, which initially targeted just 40 participants, received an overwhelming response.

“This year, we are expanding it to 222 locations across the country and targeting 7,680 participants for the B40 children category, and 600 each for the senior citizens and OKU categories, bringing the total to 8,800,” said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.

Last year, a total of 6,646 people registered for the programme.

Yeoh added that the programme, which is to promote active lifestyles, said this provides a platform for participants to learn a new sport with their friends.

Such skills, she added, would not go to waste, adding that even retired professional swimmers can continue having a career or projects through the ministry.

Yeoh added phase one of KLAS Renang, which comprises six classes, will run from April to June in 13 states as well as the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan.

“This year, eight sports bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGO) will collaborate with the ministry to ensure the success of the programme.

“We are also planning to get MPs to assist to make the programme a success,” she said.