Japanese teams to make an impact

TEAMS from Japan are expected to make their presence felt in the Malaysia EKIDEN Road Relay at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya on Nov 4.

The relay, organised by the International Youth Centre Foundation, Honorary Consulate General of Malaysia in Fukuoka, Japan and the Alumni of Look East Policy Society, is to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Look East Policy.

Federal Territory Amateur Athletic Association (FTAAA) secretary S. Vegiyathuman said the run was also to establish better diplomatic relations between Japan and Malaysia.

“We have received encouraging response from the Japanese community living in Malaysia. We are also liasing with our c ounterparts in Japan on promoting the relay in Japan, and we expect a group of teams from Japan as well,” said Vegiyathuman.

The relay has five categories – mixed team (18 years and above); men Open (18 years and above); women Open (18 years and above); men junior (13-17 years) and women junior (13-17 years).

Each team will comprise five runners. Each runner has to complete 3km, with the total distance being 15km. Prizes will be offered to the top five teams in each category.

Vegiyathuman said they had limited participation to 250 teams.

“We will not accept teams after we have reached the targeted number. We urge teams to register early to avoid disappointment,” he added.

The entry fee is RM100 per team for the mixed team, men Open and women Open categories and RM50 for the men junior and women junior categories. For more information, call 03-9171 9204 or 03-2715 2843.