Story by Chan Lilian
PENANG is cheering for its 2014 Commonwealth Games diving gold medallist Ooi Tze Liangwho also clinched gold medals at the recent SEA Games 2015 in Singapore and silver and bronze medals at the Incheon Asian Games in 2014.
Ooi, who is 23, was in Komtar on Sept 15 to receive RM12,000 from the Penang state government to help him in his training.
He has booked a slot for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Penang hopes the amount will help in his preparations.
“Ooi is a great example and an inspiration to the young people who are keen in sports. His success will spur more athletes to achieve greater prestige and take up sports as a career,” Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said during the cheque presentation.
Buletin Mutiara caught up with Ooi and asked him how he began his involvement in diving.
“When I was young, around eight years old, my father (Ooi Hong Cherng) started to get me involved in diving. He said it is to play. And here I am, after 15 years I am still diving,” Ooi said with a smile.
He added that the achievement of winning gold medals can only be obtained when one has worked hard.
“I believe this is just the beginning and I hope to give more to Penang and Malaysia. I am thankful for the Penang state’s support towards my Olympic quest,” Ooi said.
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