BERITA NISA' GAMES 2007....

All-women sports meet

THE STAR, Saturday, 3 February 2007.
KUALA LUMPUR: Women’s activist group Nisa Malaysia is organising an all-women sports meet, the first games of its kind at the national level.
Nisa Games 2007 – the inaugural Malaysian Women’s Games – will be held in Kota Baru from Feb 17 to 18.
“The event is being organised by women for women,” Nisa Malaysia director Mastura Muhammad said, adding that every one involved, from the athletes to the judges and the audience, would be women.

Special guest: Ruqaya will be making an appearance at the opening ceremony.Although the event was in accordance with Islamic values and principles, it would also be open to non-Muslims, she told a press conference here yesterday.
Asian Games women’s 200m gold medallist Ruqaya al-Ghassara from Bahrain would make a guest appearance at the opening ceremony, which would be officiated by Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
The opening ceremony would also see the launch of the Nisa anthem and performances by nasyid artistes In-Team, Akbar and Muadz.
Mastura said the games were consistent with the national call for all citizens to practise a healthy lifestyle and for youths to be more involved in sports.
She added that it was also in support of the national anti-drug abuse drive and Visit Malaysia 2007.
Among the sports to be featured are netball, volleyball, futsal, badminton and bowling.
“Through the games, Nisa aims to introduce junior and amateur athletes to the national level. It’s a good opportunity for young and talented women to excel in sports,” said Mastura, adding that participation was open to girls and women aged 15 to 30.
She said 1,200 names had been submitted for the various sports.
Kelantan Local Government Committee chairman Takiyuddin Hassan said: “The Nisa Games is a continuation of Kelantan’s efforts to promote big-scale events, especially following the success of last year’s women’s concert.”
“Kelantan is proud to play host to this honourable event. It’s a way for us to show support to women in sports events as well as to promote the games among young women,” he said.
Nisa Malaysia is a service-oriented organisation centred on young women in Malaysia. It specialises in youth activities.
For information, visit www.webnisa.net.