By JOHN TAMBANAN
KOTA KINABALU: The highly anticipated JOM! Malaysia-China Friendship Run 2025, set to take place on July 27, has once again received strong backing from leading sports and lifestyle brand SKECHERS, which is sponsoring staff uniforms and prizes worth a total of RM300,000.
Dr. Oh Ei Sun, President of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association Sabah (MCFAS), recently met in Hong Kong with Henry Tan, Vice Chairman and CEO of Luen Thai Group, alongside the Association’s Honorary President Datuk Clement Yeh and Executive Vice President & Secretary General Steven Liaw, to update him on the success of last year’s event and current preparations.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Luen Thai Group, and Henry Tan expressed his strong support for the Friendship Run, reaffirming the Group’s commitment to promoting Malaysia-China grassroots exchanges.
Henry Tan stated, the 2025 Malaysia-China Friendship Run is more than just a sporting event—it’s a bridge connecting the hearts of the people of Malaysia and China.
“I’m pleased to see this event growing in scale and influence year by year, particularly with the enthusiastic participation of the younger generation. It reflects the deep friendship and shared values between our two nations.”
“In conjunction with Luen Thai Group’s 60th anniversary, we are honoured to continue supporting meaningful initiatives that foster people-to-people connections between Malaysia and China.
Guided by our belief in ‘Connecting People, Creating the Future Together,’ we will continue to support cultural, sports, and youth exchange platforms.”
He emphasized that this support represents not only a commitment to a single event, but a continuation of enduring friendship and a firm dedication to future cooperation.
Dr. Oh expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Luen Thai Group, particularly Vice Chairman Henry Tan, for their continued trust and support of the Friendship Run.
“This year being Luen Thai’s 60th anniversary, receiving generous sponsorship from such a historic and socially responsible enterprise is especially meaningful to us,” he said.
“This support is not only practical but also a strong recognition of the value of Malaysia-China grassroots exchanges. It is with the support of partners like Luenthai that we are able to make this event more exciting each year, and sow the seeds of Malaysia-China friendship in the hearts of the younger generation.”
He added that the association will continue its efforts to build more bridges of friendship and cooperation, and live up to public expectations.
This year’s event will flag off at 6am on July 27 at the Padang Merdeka in Kota Kinabalu, with a turnaround point at the roundabout near the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque in Likas, covering a total distance of 7 kilometres.
As in previous years, the event enjoys strong support from SKECHERS, which continues to encourage an active and healthy lifestyle among Sabahans.
This year, the brand is sponsoring RM60,000 worth of lucky draw prizes, along with T-shirts, eco bags, 30% SKECHERS discount vouchers, bib numbers, medals, and more in each participant’s race pack.
Among the 350 SKECHERS lucky draw prizes, the grand prize is a RM5,508 running shoe package, where the winner can redeem RM459 worth of running shoes monthly for 12 months at SKECHERS outlets.
Additionally, 349 cash prizes totalling RM54,500 will be awarded, including 1st prize: RM2,000 (1 winner), 2nd prize: RM1,000 (3 winners), 3rd prize: RM500 (5 winners), RM300 (20 winners, RM200 (50 winners), RM150 (80 winners) and RM100 (190 winners).
For more information about the event, please contact 016-8304020, 012-8332282, 016-8363960, or 012-8060944.
The organizers will arrange a date for the distribution of event packs.
