Kuala lumpur: The National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) Sports Carnival 2025 is not only a platform to strengthen unity and a sense of belonging among the media fraternity nationwide, but also serves to cultivate a spirit of sportsmanship through the participation of various media organisations. Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj said the annual carnival brings together media practitioners from diverse organisations and plays an important role in fostering closer ties within the media community.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the carnival hosted teams from different states such as Perak and Kedah, facilitating interaction among media practitioners. Arul Rajoo highlighted the significance of the event, stating, "This is not merely a sports event, but a platform to foster unity and a sense of belonging among media practitioners." The event took place at IWK Eco Park, Pantai Dalam, today.
A total of 12 football teams and five netball teams participated in the competition, which included media organisations such as Bernama, The Sun, Media Prima, and Astro Awani. Arul Rajoo noted that this is the second time the football and netball events have been contested at the HAWANA Sports Carnival.
The programme, organized by Bernama in conjunction with HAWANA 2025, commenced with a bowling competition on December 14 at Wangsa Bowl, One Utama, and was followed by the football and netball events at IWK Eco Park, Pantai Dalam.
Additionally, the folk games segment is set to occur tomorrow, starting at 8 am at IWK Eco Park. The games include traditional activities such as tarik tali, galah panjang, tuju tin, dam haji, congkak, dam ular, and untai gelang getah.
HAWANA was first introduced in 2018 as a tribute to journalists' contributions to national development, with May 29 chosen to commemorate the publication of the first edition of Utusan Melayu in 1939. Held annually, HAWANA gathers media professionals to acknowledge their role and contributions to the nation's development.
The main HAWANA 2025 celebration was held on June 14 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) and was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.