Mass walk marks Youth All-Round Development Festival

December 2, 2017

While the song calling for early go to bed and early get up to work was floating in the air, a crowd gathering near the arch of the University of Yangon was ready to start their early walk campaign on 2nd December morning.

The campaign conducted by the Ministry of Information to mark the Youth All-Round Development Festival was attracted more than 3000 people including Union ministers, governmental officials, university students, school children, teachers and hikers.

They walked along Pyay Road, Inya Road and University Avenue Road and ended at the University of Yangon.

Myanmar News Agency interviewed the persons participated in the campaign and Following is the excerpts of the interviewees.

Dr. Pe Myint

Union Minister for Information

Youth All-Round Development Festival includes activities related with education, literature and art to help development of youths. Sports activities also includes in it. Among them, the walking activity is to mark the Youth Multi-Development Festival.

We will do walking now as a sports activity. When youths participate in this walking, they will gain the collective spirit. In fact, walking is also nurturing a good habit for good health. Health is the greatest gift. If they are not in good health, youths can not perform their work effectively.

Dr. Myo Thein Gyi

Union Minister for Education

We can consider today a historic day because today second December marks the day of walking week and the walking to mark the Youth All-Round Development Festival too. Besides, the Youth All- Round Development Festival is also coincident with the 97th anniversary of the University of Yangon. On behalf of the Ministry of Education, I want express my delight for getting the chance to hold such kind of festival in cooperation with other ministries. Ministry of Education is committed to development of youths especially in the education sector and we take pride in it.

U Myo Myint Maung

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information

The festival is jointly conducted by five ministries and Yangon Region Government. For the development of youths, there are activities in foreign countries. Students’ Sports Festival were used to be held in the past. Regarding the All-Round development of youths, this festival is considered the first of its kind. This festival is aimed at raising awareness of development of five virtues of youths who are part of the country’s force so that they can get caliber to serve the country and the people. On the other hand, we are drawing a youth affairs policy and projects for development of youths. This mass walk is a part of uplifting their health and a part of their all-round development as well. We walk today in honour of this festival.

U Myo Hlaing, Director General, Sports and Physical Education Department

Mass Walking is aimed at young people to take part in sports activities. We want them to be aware of the benefits of walking. Waling can help them promote their health in one way or another. We plan to take part in mass walking activities every year. They can also join during their December holidays. In this way, they become interested in sports activities and more active in doing so. I believe that the standard of sports will be improved in the near future.

Daw Ei Ei Maw, a sports teacher, B.E.M.S 6, Hlaing Township

It is good to take part in mass walking activities. Ifeel fresh and vigorous after joining this event. It can enhance unity and a spirit of sport. I think, it is better for the young people to join this event. They can be strong in physical and mental well-beings.

Maung Sithu Hein, Grade 8(C), B.E.H.S 2, Kamayut

I am happy to join this event. As for me, I feel very good to participate in it. Walking is a good exercise and can enhance your memory. It is very nice to walk with my friends. I’d like to urge all my friends to walk in the early morning.

Ma Khin May Oo, Grade-9 (F), B.E.H.S 3, Kamayut

I am in the habit of walking together with my friends in the early morning.

I love sports and games, that’s why I do the physical exercises at home. There are many participants like me in this mass walking activities. It is amusing and enjoyable too.

By Khin Zar Li, Zarni Maung

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar