PENANG BRIDGE INTERNATIONAL MARATHON 2022
SPEECH BY YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW
THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
PENANG BRIDGE INTERNATIONAL
MARATHON 2022
11TH DECEMBER 2022
A very good morning to all of you.
Over the years, Penang Bridge International Marathon, or PBIM for short, has captured the hearts of thousands of runners and brought the world together in peace and solidarity.
Today, we are thrilled to have our physical marathon operating at full capacity for the first time in two years. We are glad that as the largest sporting annual event of our state, PBIM 2022 will continue to bridge communities and bring about 26,000 people from all walks of life together, from more than 60 different countries.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to PETACE for organizing such a meaningful event to align with the strategic initiative of the Penang2030 vision of promoting the participation of youth, women and seniors in community life. It is vital to us that there are compelling sporting events in Penang to improve the happiness and wellbeing of our community. We also want people to enjoy leisure and quality time with their family and friends.
We comprehend that to achieve the goals of the Penang2030 vision, we need collaborations among all parts of society which includes the youths and local communities. Through PBIM, we are working closely with the local schools, young students and local businesses to strengthen civic engagement. Fulfilling the overall goal must be a team effort coming from the government, NGOs, agencies and society at large. It is in the spirit of cooperation and partnership that we can uphold the values of sports and fulfil our objectives.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The integrity of PBIM is of utmost importance to the Penang State Government. This year, health has been one of our focal points to assure runners’ health and well-being are protected. The State Government is pleased to extend its collaboration with a number of hospitals, including Island Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital, Sunway Medical Centre and Subang Jaya Medical Centre.
After two years of hiatus, we need to make sure that PBIM runners are physically capable of running a marathon while minimising the risks of harm. To do so, our runners have been notified on the latest scientific knowledge and professional advice on personal health. Also, various medical forums and running clinics was held in Malaysia to ensure that our runners are well-informed and prepared.
I understand it is the aspirations of YB Yeoh and PETACE that Penang Bridge International Marathon will be awarded the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Label certification, ranking PBIM amongst the top races in the world, alongside other major international marathons. Foreseeably, the IAAF Label will surely signify PBIM standards in runner experience and safety, while also elevating our state’s position as the as the premier location for marathons in the globe.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Penang Bridge International Marathon will be the best way we end the year, welcoming 2023 with open arms and endemic mindsets. As Joe Henderson, an American author and a runner, put it, “No marathon gets easier later. The halfway point only marks the end of the beginning.” Just as a marathoner does not stop when the finish line is in sight, we must not stop and continue pushing forward in order to reap the benefits of our hard work in the future.
With that, I hope to see you all in the years to come, in good health, strength, and unity. That’s all from me, thank you!