The 4th Penang Chief Minister’s Cup Inter-school Table Tennis Championships 2024 will be held on Oct 19 and 20 at the Penang Table Tennis Association (PTTA) Training Centre at Macallum Street Ghaut, George Town.
Sponsored by the Penang Chief Minister’s Office and organised by the PTTA, the event will feature 264 teams, with 635 participants representing 73 schools. The tournament is supported by the Penang Education Department.
PTTA deputy president Datuk Ang Aing Thye noted that participation has grown steadily since the championship was first organised in 2019.
“The tournament not only promotes table tennis in schools and nurtures emerging talents but is also recognised by the Education Department, with participants earning points for their Co-curricular Activity Assessment (PAJSK),” he said.
The top-performing school will be awarded the Penang Chief Minister’s Challenge Trophy. However, if a school wins the championship three years in a row, it will be entitled to keep the trophy permanently.
The competition features six categories: Boys’ team event (Under 10, born in or after 2014), Girls’ team event (Under 10, born in or after 2014), Boys’ team event (Under 12, born in or after 2012), Girls’ team event (Under 12, born in or after 2012), Boys’ team event (Under 15, born in or after 2009) and Girls’ team event (Under 15, born in or after 2009).
The prizes for each category winners are as follows: Champion: RM300 + Trophy, Medal, and Certificate; Runner-up: RM200 + Trophy, Medal, and Certificate; Third Place: RM100 + Trophy, Medal, and Certificate; Fourth Place: RM80 + Trophy, Medal; Fifth to Eighth Place: RM50 + Trophy, and Ninth to Twelveth place: RM30.
Lau Keng Ee, the Chief Minister’s political secretary and adviser for the championships, highlighted the inclusive nature of table tennis, describing it as a sport for all races.
“This year’s competition has drawn participants from international schools and national schools, including Malay primary schools, fostering interaction among students from diverse ethnic backgrounds,” Lau said.
“Table tennis is not confined to any one race; it is a sport that unites students from various communities, encouraging communication and solidarity. The increasing number of participants each year is a testament to the event’s growing recognition.”
Also present were PTTA president Datuk Michael Tiah and his personal assistant Loke Boon Leong.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Joanne Foong