Federal Territories deputy minister Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohan (right) holds up the 2017 SEA Games torch as it makes its way to the finish line via hot air balloon. Bernama Photo
PUTRAJAYA: The Kuala Lumpur 2017 Torch Run reached Putrajaya today enroute to its final lap to the National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur for the opening of the 2017 SEA Games on Aug 19.
Despite a drizzling morning, an enthusiastic crowd including several ministry secretaries-general took part in the event which also saw the flags of all 11 participating nations being lifted into the sky by two hot air balloons.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa had the honour of being the first torch bearer of the Putrajaya leg run before it was passed to other participants.
Among them were Communications and Multimedia Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad, Finance Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, Federal Territories Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Adnan Md Ikshan and Youth and Sports Ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali.
There was a lively atmosphere along the run which passed through several ministries in the federal administrative capital, with the presence of cheerleaders and a band from a university as well as a number of hot air balloons soaring in the sky.
Lokman said the support from the public in the run-up to the KL Games had been overwhelming before Malaysia played host to the region’s best athletes in a week’s time.
“We’ve been preparing for the KL SEA Games for quite some time and time passes very quickly. We hope we can be the best host and that our country will emerge as the overall winners,” Lokman told reporters at the end of the event at the Youth and Sports Ministry.
Yesterday, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said Malaysia was aiming for a target of 111 gold medals in its quest to be the SEA Games overall champions.
The KL SEA Games officially takes place from Aug 19 to 30 with 404 events across 38 sports. – Bernama