KENINGAU: District officer Zulkifli Nasir has urged youths to play a proactive role in developing and defending the races, religion and the country.

He said youths should not only become kampung champions but needed to have higher commitment to become first world class youths.

“To become first world class, they should be brave and ready to compete in the globalised world,” he said when officiating at the three-day Keningau Parliamen-tary Rakan Muda Wawasan Desa programme held at Gerakan Daya Wawasan (GDW) Kampung Tudan Baru multi-purpose hall here.

Zulkifli said all these could be done by having a mature attitude and change of mindset.

However, he said it was disappointing that many youths wasted their time on unhealthy activities and this could affect their future.

One hundred and thirty youths from Tambunan, Bingkor and Liawan are taking part in the programme which is jointly organised by the Keningau Federal Youth and Sports Department, District Office and GDW Kampung Tudan Baru.

At the function, Zulkifli also handed over the participants to their adoption families.