INTER-MEDIA GAMES TO BE INCORPORATED INTO HAWANA CALENDAR - FAHMI

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) — The inter-media games in conjunction with National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA) will be included in the annual Hawana calendar starting next year,  Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said.

He said the Hawana Games will be expanded to a larger scale, welcoming participation from a wider media community, including from state-level outlets, and could feature traditional games such as carrom and checkers.

“The event doesn’t have to be limited to field sports alone. So, these are some traditional games that might be added to the programme,” he said, adding that his officers will review other sports that could be included in next year’s event.

Fahmi told reporters this when attending the inter-media nine-a-side football and netball tournament in conjunction with the HAWANA Games at the Brainy Bunch International Islamic pre-school field, Melawati Campus here today.

He also praised the initiative, noting it as a valuable opportunity to strengthen camaraderie among local media practitioners.

Seventeen teams, including those from the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), Harian Metro, Utusan Malaysia, Awani Troopers, Sinar FC, Finas, Media Perak and TV3 competed in the football tournament, while nine teams participated in netball.

The football champions will win RM3,000, medals and a trophy, with the runner-up taking RM2,000 and medals, and the third and fourth places earning RM1,000 and RM800 with medals.

In netball, the top team will receive RM2,000, medals and a trophy, with RM1,000 and medals for the runner-up, and RM500 and RM400 with medals for third and fourth places.

Bernama Chief Executive Officer Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin officiated the event, also attended by Bernama Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj and Deputy Editor-in-Chief (News Service) Nasriah Darus.

Hawana, celebrated annually since its inception on April 11, 2018, by Bernama, honours the media community’s dedication and sacrifices, aiming to raise journalism standards in Malaysia. It also provides a forum for media professionals to address pressing industry issues.

The National Journalists’ Day (HAWANA), first celebrated on April 11, 2018, aims to appreciate and value the sacrifices and contributions of the media community as well as enhance the level of professionalism among media practitioners in the country, in addition to becoming a platform for them to come together and discuss current issues faced by the media industry.

May 29 is officially designated as Hawana Day, commemorating the first issue of Utusan Melayu on that date in 1939.

-- BERNAMA