New normal: Yakult orgnanises online juggling challenge

KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 -- In embracing the new normal following the COVID-19 outbreak, Yakult Malaysia has taken the initiative to host the ‘Yakult Global Cup 2020: The Ultimate Juggling Challenge’ competition online.

Yakult Malaysia managing director Hiroshi Hamada said although it was the second time the competition was being organised, it would be held in a different way this time as holding sports activities in groups was currently not allowed.

He said the challenge would be held online, with participants only having to submit their video entries to the organisers according to the set terms and conditions.

"The tournament aims to improve ball-handling skills among children and also give them the opportunity to challenge Japanese participants who comprise of trainees at the Cerezo Osaka Football Academy and the Fagiano Okayama Football Academy," he said in a press statement.

The first edition of the Yakult Global Cup last year saw a Malaysian team beat 22 other teams from Japan for the title.

The tournament features individual and group challenges, with each challenge divided into three age categories, namely, under-eight (U-8), U-10 and U-12.

The individual challenge will run from June 1-20, while the group challenge will begin with the screening stage from June 1-20 and the finals to be held from June 26-30.

More information on the competition as well as the registration process can be found on Yakult Malaysia's official website at www.yakult.com.my.

For the record, Yakult is the official probiotic drink of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the National Sports Institute (ISN).

-- BERNAMA