The Challenges Ahead
Each time we visit run sites like Bukit Subang and Setia
Alam, one cannot help but wonder when will we be completely deforested. Our
beautiful hills and jungles are giving way to excessive development
and perhaps greed, which is often masked in the name of progress.
Yes some of the lands that are being developed are private
land, but note that there is much reported cases of ‘public’ land grab by
political cronies. Yes public land, meaning land that belonged to the rakyat have
been transferred to private hands for literally a 'song'.
We are deforesting at a rapid rate. Last year as I flew into
Kuching from Kota Kinabalu, as the plane was descending I can hardly see the grand-old trees that are supposed to provide a canopy for the tropical forest.
There will only remain sockets of places to run in the
future. We will then have to drive further to get a variety of run sites. On
the contrary, more Fitness First and True Fitness outlets are sprouting in the
Klang Valley, a testament to their appeal and popularity. A new Fitness First center is opening in Paradigm Mall near my
home. This is so ironic! The young rather pay to join such expensive fitness
clubs when the jungle is free, and prefer to pay RM15 per 330ml bottle of beer at
trendy bars when they can drink for RM5 at hash clubs. Society has changed
since hash was formed in 1938 when there were probably little other forms of entertainments available. The challenge is how do we attract the young ones to
hash activities? At hashing you can literally have “free” use of the jungle and
cheap beers.
Rise up GH5!
I have heard comments from members who quipped “Lets take
over GH5 and build it into a super club”.
It is easier said than done. It is not just a mere thought that can make
GH5 super. What are the benchmarks of a super club vs and ordinary club?
Certainly the number of members may be a criterion. The quality of the runs,
fellowship and events are even more paramount.
The
more pressing thing we need to answer in making GH5 great begins with;
- What VISION we have for the club and then how do we articulate them for action?
- How do we attract young people to not necessary join hash, but to enjoy hashing?
- What other events should be held besides running?
Well,
that’s all for now as I have another 4 months as On Sec/On Blog. May grace
abound in your life and those of your love ones in 2013. Happy New Year.
