THE PENANG CHIEF MINISTER CUP INTERSCHOOL TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2022
SPEECH BY YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW
THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
THE PENANG CHIEF MINISTER CUP INTERSCHOOL TABLE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2022
22ND OCTOBER 2022
YB. Soon Lip Chee
Penang State EXCO for Youth and Sports
YB. Daniel Gooi Zi Sen
Assemblyman for Pengkalan Kota
YBrs. Tuan Mohamad Said bin Ibrahim
Deputy Director of the Penang State Education Department (JPNPP)
Mr. Harry Chai Heng Hua
Director of Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP)
YBhg. Dato’ Michael Tiah
President of Penang Table Tennis Association (PTTA)
YBhg. Dato’ Ang Aing Thye
Deputy President of Penang Table Tennis Association
Vice Presidents and Committee Members of Penang Table Tennis Association,
Distinguished guests,
Members of the Press,
Teachers, Coaches and Players,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A very good morning to all of you.
It gives me great pleasure to be here this morning for the official opening ceremony of the 2nd Penang Chief Minister Cup Interschool Table Tennis Championships 2022.
To begin, I would like to congratulate Dato’ Michael Tiah and his organizing committee on the successful organization of this event, which was originally scheduled in 2020 but was delayed due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) imposed under the Covid-19 pandemic.
I was informed that this two-day event will be attended by 470 players from 192 teams, representing 69 primary and secondary schools throughout Penang. This has far surpassed the 347 players from 147 teams, representing 50 schools who participated in the inaugural championships in 2019.
As we work to rebound from the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic over the last two years, this resounding support from numerous schools, parents, as well as the players, is indeed inspiring, and I would like to commend each one of you for your support and efforts.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,
Sports has long been the successful agent of unity in connecting people, especially in our country, regardless of ethnicity or religious beliefs. In fact, it had always been our significant key to success as we allowed our differences to bind us together through mutual respect and friendship, and that, had always been our strength.
As such, to further encourage and support any activities related to youth and sports, the Penang State Government, in line with the Penang2030 strategic initiative of diversifying recreation, sports, arts, and culture, has taken specific measures to enhance the state’s sports facilities.
This year, RM1.6 million was allocated for new development, upgrades, and renovation of sports facilities across the state. Meanwhile, the RM3.5 million Permatang Rawa Mini Football Stadium was completed and opened to the public last year. Additionally, the RM8.8 million Nibong Tebal Arena is currently under development, with nine badminton courts and other facilities scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of next year.
I would also like to note that the hall that you are playing in today is owned by the State Government and was leased to the Penang Table Tennis Association (PTTA) in order to grow the sport of table tennis in Penang. Furthermore, the tournament today, which is organized by PTTA, is fully sponsored by the chief minister's office.
As the “breeding ground” for world champions such as Dato’ Lee Chong Wei, a former world no. 1 in badminton, and Dato’ Nicol David, our world women’s squash champion, we hope that through such initiatives by the State Government and with the support from the private sector, we will be able to produce some world-ranking table tennis players in the near future, in addition to fuelling the sporting spirit among all Penangites for the benefit of our people, state and nation.
I was informed that the most talented and promising players of this tournament would be selected and groomed to be future state and national players. As such, I urge all participants to make the most of this opportunity to showcase your talent and skills. And, I wish everyone all the very best.
With that, I hereby with great pleasure, declare the 2nd Penang Chief Minister Cup Interschool Table Tennis Championships 2022 officially open, and take this occasion to announce an allocation of RM50,000 to PTTA for the continued development and promotion of table tennis in Penang!
Thank you.