Eat right to play right programme promotes healthy living

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8  --  “A healthy, balanced diet and disciplined training has made me more active in the field,” says 12-year-old Muhd Afiq Hazim.

The pupil of Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Alor in Melaka admitted that the change took place after he and his football team, Masjid Tanah City FC were selected to participate in the youth soccer tournament to win Zurich Malaysia's Eat Right to Play Right (ERTPR) Youth Cup held here, today.

To maintain his stamina he daily took milk, eggs, fruits and vegetables as his main diet.

“Every morning after showering, my father would make sure I eat breakfast before going to school so that I have enough energy to study and practice after school,” he told Bernama.

Affectionately called Afiiq, he said national goalkeeper Muhammad  Muhammad Hafizul Hakim Khairul Nizam was his idol, and he also gave credit to Zurich Malaysia as he and his teammates now prefer healthy food over light snacks every day.

The football tournament organised by the insurance company and the takaful operator since 2016 received encouraging response this year with the participation of more than 2,160 students from Kedah, Perak, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Johor and Kuala Lumpur after introducing a special category for girls under 12.

In addition to this category, three other categories were contested, namely for boys under eight years (U8), under 10 (U10) and under 12 (U12).

It was introduced as one of the special programmes of ERTPR aimed at raising awareness of the importance of nutrition education and promoting a healthy lifestyle among children.

Professional footballer Safee Sali was also appointed as the ambassador for the programme.

Meanwhile, Nur Farisha Karmila Shamsol Riduan, 12, SK Methodist Malim Nawar, Perak, said that besides being active in sports after participating in the tournament, she had now successfully reduced her intake of less-healthy and sugary foods.

“I now take more care about food, making sure fruits and vegetables and protein sources such as chicken and fish are available every time I take a meal. Fortunately, mom and dad are always aware of this, so I don't have to worry about missing anything in my diet,” she said.

Safee when met by reporters later, said the programme should be extended to all states, including Sabah and Sarawak so that more children could benefit from it.

“As we know, a balanced diet is essential for any athlete or football player to stay fit and perform brilliantly on the field.

“As the programme’s ambassador, I hope the programme which gives an insight into the importance of consuming nutritious food in the early stages can be extended to Sabah and Sarawak to produce more healthy generations and to adopt a more active and healthy lifestyle,” said the PJ FC team striker.

At the event Zurich Malaysia head, Stephen Clark presented the prizes to the teams, The Fighters who won the U12 category, the Kiddokickers (U10), the Arau Kids (U8) and the No T girl team (girls U12).

-- BERNAMA