News

The endurance challenge with enduring appeal

Published

2 years ago

21/12/2021

MNN

BMW Hood to Coast Relay wins more fans with latest Hainan edition

The BMW Hood to Coast Relay’s growing popularity with both professional and amateur runners lies in its unique format, an emphasis on teamwork, and its variety of scenic courses. That’s the esteemed opinion of marathon veteran Cheng Qianyu after he experienced both Chinese editions of the race this year.

“The Hood to Coast Relay is very different from the marathon, because it requires people to work together in teams,” Cheng told China Daily on Friday.

“Each leg of the race provides variety for runners, who need not only speed but also great endurance to finish. So, actually I think it’s more fun and challenging than regular marathons.”

This year’s BMW Hood to Coast China-Hainan Relay began from picturesque Tonggu Mountain at midnight on Dec 11, with five-person teams challenged to complete the 156.4-kilometer course within 24 hours. A total of 400 teams participated in the event.

The route took in the cities of Wenchang, Qionghai and Wanning, with a party awaiting at the finish line at Shimei Bay. The course comprised 15 sections, each of which needed to be completed by one team member while the others traveled by car and interchanged at the end of each leg.

It was the second Hood to Coast staged in China this year, following a Sept 25 relay in Hebei province that began at Senado Field in the grasslands surrounding Zhangjiakou, the city that will co-host the Beijing Winter Olympics. The finish line was located in mountain terrain at Wanlong Paradise Resort, with 351 teams taking on the 145.6-kilometer course.

Cheng participated in both relays this year, with his team finishing third in Hainan.

“The Hood to Coast Relay is a really interesting race. I like its name for a start, which evokes the challenge the runners face. With the Hainan and Zhangjiakou options, runners can experience two totally different courses each year,” Cheng said.

“The weather at each location differs, which also presents challenges to professional runners. I hope the relay can keep growing and become a permanent fixture on China’s running calendar.

News

Developmental projects of Maldives progressing substantially

Published

7 hours ago

18/05/2024

India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar has affirmed that the developmental projects of the Maldives carried out with the assistance of India have been progressing considerably. The remarks were made by the minister during the Confederation of Indian Industry (CIIs) Annual Business Summit.

Speaking at the summit, Minister Jaishankar stated that some developmental projects were slightly politically influenced, hindering the progress. However, he assured that the progress of the projects have propelled at a notable rate.

Following the Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer’s official visit to India at the invitation of Minister Jaishankar, discussions were held highlighting the spectrum of initiatives across the nation has been kickstarted through loans and grants from the Government of India during the previous administration. He emphasised the current government’s commitment to prioritising the resumption and completion of these projects.

Meanwhile, the Government of India has reaffirmed its commitment to the development and prosperity of the Maldives by extending a budgetary support of USD 50 million to be repaid within a term of one year.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

Police officers complete training to prevent maritime terrorism acts

Published

22 hours ago

17/05/2024

A team of 22 police officers has successfully completed a specialised training programme focused on thwarting maritime terrorism activities.

Entitled “Training on Strengthening Capabilities to Disrupt Maritime Crimes as Related to Terrorist Threats,” the program was conducted through a collaborative effort between the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Running from May 13 to 15, the intensive training equipped participants with essential skills and knowledge crucial for combating threats in maritime environments.

The concluding ceremony, graced by the presence of Chief Superintendent of Police Ibrahim Adnan Anees, Head of Marine Police, along with senior officials from the Marine Police Department, UNODC’s Head of Office Enrico Boninsegna, and course instructor Kenneth Alferdo Pennington, highlighted the significance of such initiatives in enhancing national security.

Addressing the gathering, Adnan underscored the importance of ongoing education and skill development, urging participants to actively apply the knowledge garnered from the program in their professional endeavors.

The training, conducted at Dhoonidhoo, Kaafu Atoll, imparted vital insights into the prevention and detection of maritime terrorism activities, emphasizing protocols for safe navigation in high-risk areas. Furthermore, officers received guidance on investigative procedures essential for effectively addressing such crimes, thereby bolstering the nation’s capabilities in combating maritime threats.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

President reverts land act amendment to parliament

Published

22 hours ago

17/05/2024

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has reverted the Ninth Amendment Bill to the Maldives Land Act to Parliament for further consideration.

This bill, which seeks to establish criteria for recipients of residential land and mandates that land be allocated within three months of the publication of the permanent list of recipients in the gazette, was initially passed during the twenty-second sitting of Parliament’s first session this year and sent to the President’s Office for ratification on May 2.

In returning the bill, President Muizzu invoked Article 91(a) of the Constitution, which grants the President the authority to return legislation to Parliament for reconsideration.

The President’s Office has confirmed this, indicating the need for further review and potential revisions to the proposed amendment.

Source(s): PsmNews