APMG 2018 CLOSING CEREMONY

SPEECH BY CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
DURING APMG 2018 CLOSING CEREMONY

15 SEPTEMBER 2018

SPICE ARENA

Today is officially the final day for the Asia Pacific Masters Games Penang 2018.

All of us present tonight have created history by being a part of the first-ever Masters Games in Asia. It gives me great pleasure to have the chance of being a part of this big but satisfying project from the very beginning when it was just a concept until its execution at the very end.

I still remember when the delegation from Penang went to Nice in Southern France during the European Masters Games in 2015 to bid for the Games.

The hosting contract was signed in December 2016, and after that, we went through the process of building up the APMG 2018 from scratch in just 21 months. There were many challenges, and slip-ups, but each time we got up again stronger and managed to put on a spectacle worthy of praise. We could not have done it without the assistance from all parties.

First of all, I would like to thank our Mayor Dato’ Yew Tung Seang and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) for being the backbone of the Games. Not forgetting the International Masters Games Association, who have been very supportive and accommodating for Penang to host this Games.

I am also grateful to the Olympic Council of Malaysia for going beyond their way to not just provide sanctioning, but also technical support and advice for the event. The APMG 2018 organising team led by CEO Linda Geh have done a terrific job together with all the sports partners, officials and volunteers involved. You should give yourselves a big applause for your hard work, sleepless nights and perseverance to get the job done.

Although the APMG 2018 is a state government project, we did not have a lavish budget or the luxury to spend big to host the APMG 2018. We still needed our valuable sponsors and partners, who were gracious enough to come forward and contribute cash and kind towards the hosting of this international event.

And last but not the least, the main ingredients of the APMG 2018 – the participants. For those participants who are here with us tonight, I hope you had an enjoyable time throughout the ten days of competition.

I hope your time in Penang was not only spent in the competition venues, but also among the many attractions and interesting places which our state has to offer.

More importantly, all of you here have had a good time and made new friends, befitting the official tagline “Beyond the Games”. This APMG 2018 closing ceremony has been organised to celebrate our success, and to come together for one final time in this Games. We will remember this event for the rest of our lives.

Thank you.