YESTERYEAR games such as coconut bowling, throwing slippers, wheel marbles and chopstick ping-pong may sound outright laughable to today’s younger generation.
But these were innocent pastimes for children of the 1970s, 1980s and even 1990s, before the ubiquitous existence of advanced technology such as smartphones.
Faded memories of such moments were rekindled through various games held in conjunction with the Keluarga Malaysia Family Aspirations Tour (AKM) at Dataran Angsana in Johor Baru.
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A visitor to the event, Nik Azam Nik Ya, 32, said the opportunity to participate in these activities made him reminisce about his childhood and school days.
“The last time I played wheel marbles and chopstick ping-pong was when I was a teenager schooling in Jerteh, Terengganu.
“After my family moved to Mersing, I did not find games like this. I was happy to see them at AKM,” he said.
Nik Azam said not many youngsters knew about traditional games, so AKM was an appropriate platform for the government to revive those games.
“Youngsters should know about such games and if possible, information about them should be spread via video tutorials on social media so that it is easy for them to follow,” he added.
Meanwhile, programme coordinator Salasiah Hashim said the games were handled by the National Unity and Integration Department and featured three segments covering traditional games, nostalgic games demonstrations and “Jom Aktif” games.
Among the traditional games at AKM were coconut bowling, tin throwing and wheel marbles, while nostalgic demonstrations provided exposure to ketupat weaving, batu seremban, congkak, tassel-flower weaving and checkers.
“The Jom Aktif slot features mini golf, mini football and fitness activities like skipping. So far, response has been very encouraging,” said Salasiah.
“We also invited instructors from traditional game associations to guide visitors on the right way to play them so that their heritage can be preserved,” she said.
The three-day AKM Tour was a continuation of the successful 100-Day AKM Programme held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre last December.
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