KUALA LUMPUR – The streets of George Town came alive last Sunday as more than 500 children and families joined the Kidslympic Malaysia Run 2025, a nationwide series building momentum for the upcoming Kidslympic Games in October.
The Penang leg of the run was marked by a strong government presence, with Human Resources Minister Steven Sim running alongside participants and reaffirming Putrajaya’s commitment to both youth development and family protection.
“Sports build character, discipline, and resilience. At the same time, we must ensure that families — especially housewives — are protected and empowered,” Sim said. “Kidslympic Malaysia Run Penang brings both these values together, making this initiative close to my heart.”
This year’s Penang edition introduced a partnership with the Social Security Organisation (SOCSO), which highlighted its Lindung Kasih scheme — also known as the Social Security Scheme for Housewives (SKSSR).
The initiative offers coverage for women who manage households, including wives, mothers, widows, divorcees, and single mothers. For RM120 a year, families or third parties can secure benefits for housewives, ranging from accident coverage to disability and death compensation.
Former badminton Olympic medallist and Kidslympic co-founder Goh Liu Ying said the tie-up underscored the need to protect the sacrifices of women who often go unnoticed.
“Just as we celebrate our children’s health and fitness at Kidslympic, we must also honour and protect the mothers who sacrifice daily to build stronger families. Lindung Kasih is our way of ensuring the nation never forgets these silent champions,” said Liu Ying, who also sits on SOCSO’s SKSSR board.
SOCSO booths dotted the Penang event, giving families a chance to learn about the scheme, register on-site, and explore its long-term impact.
The Kidslympic Malaysia Run, open to children aged four to twelve, aims to introduce sports at the grassroots level, while encouraging family participation through carnival games, wellness workshops, and team activities.
The 2025 tour, themed From Playground to Podium, has already made stops in Kuala Lumpur and Johor. Penang marked its third edition, with the next run scheduled for Gamuda Gardens Experience Gallery on September 28.
The series will culminate in the Kidslympic Malaysia Games 2025 at PNB Merdeka Ventures Stadium in Kuala Lumpur from October 10 to 13, where over 1,500 young athletes are expected to compete in Olympic-style events including athletics, swimming, gymnastics, football, volleyball, and basketball.
First launched in 2024, Kidslympic Malaysia has since grown into a platform for more than 5,000 children nationwide, offering them not just competition, but also an opportunity to build resilience, life skills, and friendships. — September 18, 2025