Everest climber appointed Sports Ambassador

0

KANGAR: Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) has appointed sports activist and Mount Everest climber Muhamad Muqharabbin Mohktaruddin, better known as Qobin Mokhtar, as its Sports Ambassador.

UniMAP vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kamarudin Hussin said Qobin’s vast experience in mountain climbing and swimming, which had placed Malaysia on the global map, was the main reason for his selection as the university’s sports ambassador.

“Through the appointment, Qobin will help UniMAP in organising motivational programmes and mountain climbing activities in Malaysia,” he told reporters here yesterday.

He said that it was hoped that the appointment would help and enable UniMAP to shine better in sports and the mountain climbing arena.

Qobin’s appointment would also help UniMAP in its bid to scale Mount Everest, or at least reach base camp, next year, he added. — Bernama

— MORE UNIMAP-QOBIN 2 (LAST) KANGAR Meanwhile, Qobin, who scaled Kala Pattar Summit in Nepal in 2002, is set to lead a Unity Expedition to Swim Across the English Channel next year.

He said the expedition would comprise 14 multi-racial swimmers who would be selected from university students in Malaysia in line with the 1Malaysia concept.

“They will swim about 40km in a relay across the English Channel,” said Qobin, who is to select the swimmers in Sept 2012.

Swimmers would face temperatures between two and six degree Celsius and rough seas during the expedition, he said.

He added following the completion of the expedition, they would be given the opportunity to swim solo across the Channel.

— BERNAMA NZO AD NHA INE JS

15/04/2011 15:57:30ST