SEREMBAN, MALAYSIA: Only two out of every 10 Malaysian women are active in sports and this is a worrying trend that has to be reversed.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said that women should take exercise seriously to lead healthier lives.

"All you need to do is exercise 20 to 30 minutes a day. You can even go for a brisk walk around the block," she said after meeting Pekerti (wives of elected representatives and government department heads) members here yesterday.

Azalina said organisations such as Pekerti could lead by example to promote healthy living among women.

Also present was Raja Datin Seri Salbiah Tengku Nujumudin, the wife of Mentri Besar Datuk Mohamad Hasan.

On a separate matter, Azalina said over-aged officer bearers of youth associations have been given a one-year reprieve to hold their elections and hand over the reins to younger leaders.

Leaders of such associations have to be below 40 years of age under the Youth Associations and Youth Development Act 2007 which came into force on Jan 1 this year.

Azalina said the bodies had been given additional time.

:In fact, some of them asked for a two-year grace period. We want them to do it within this year and register their associations with the Registrar of Youth," she said, adding that associations that failed to do so would not be given operating funds by the ministry.

She also wanted to see bigger memberships in youth bodies.

"At present, only four million of 11 million youths in the country are in such bodies," she said.

The more than 4,000 youth bodies now registered under the Registrar of Societies would have to register themselves with the Registrar of Youth.