THE eighth edition of City Walk (2020) will be used as a platform to champion the Penang2030 vision to all Penangites, says Penang Island City Council (MBPP) Community Services director Rashidah Jalaludin.
“The City Walk 2020 will be incorporating the Penang2030 vision so as to convey its goals to the participants and also the visitors.
“They will be briefed on the visions at each check point during the event.
“All the participants will be given a ‘passport’ that will be used as a medium to educate the elements of Penang2030,” Rashidah told a press conference at the MBPP’s Information Centre in Youth Park today.
Rashidah added that for this year, the starting point would be at Jalan Padang Kota Lama (in front of Town Hall) unlike the previous years which began at the Lebuh Light.
“We are changing the route to give the participants a different experience.
“Roads such as the Jalan Padang Kota Lama and Lebuh Duke will be closed on Jan1, 2020 starting from 12.01am to 8am,” she added.
According to Rashidah, some 6,000 participants are expected to take part in the walk which will start as early as 7am on Jan 1.
“Out of the total number of participants, 400 over are kids with the youngest being six years old.
“The oldest participant is around 70 years old.”
She also said that a total of 150 lucky draw prizes are up for grabs for all the participants.
“Some of the prizes are sponsored by the private sector and I would like to convey my thanks to them.
“The prizes include tickets to Penang Museum, set lunch for two persons, weekend buffet lunch and dinner, hotel stay and many others.
“Apart from that, the council will also be giving out 15 bicycles, 14 electrical appliances, 15 hampers, Pas Mutiara, special edition of city walk Touch ‘N’ Go and MBPP’s smart parking coupons,” Rashidah added.
The T-shirt distribution will be held on Dec 28 for the mainland folk at the AEON Big Seberang Jaya from 10am to 10pm.
On the island, it will be held the following day (Dec 29) from 10am to 10pm at the lobby of City Stadium in Lorong Kulit.
The 5km walk includes the roads in George Town such as Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, Lebuh Chulia, Jalan Penang, Lebuh Campbell, Lebuh Buckingham, Lebuh Armenian and Lebuh Pantai.
“As a gesture of going green, the participants are required to bring their own water bottles.
“There will be also various programmes for not only the visitors but also the public, such as traditional games, robotic display, cultural and heritage exhibitions and health check-ups.
“I hope that visitors will come and enjoy the activities arranged for them as this is beyond a sports event,” Rashidah said.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud