THE first-ever twin beach volleyball courts in Seberang Perai are now open to the public!
They are located at the Taman Guar Perahu in Penanti.
State Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee said the Penang government spent about RM192,000 to build the twin beach volleyball courts.
“The twin courts also are equipped with the anti-climb fence.
“We have to use a few lorries to transport sand from a nearby river to the new beach volleyball courts as there is no beach in Penanti.
“The idea to build such courts here was mooted by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow in 2021 during the Malaysia Open Beach Volleyball Championship 2021 that was held in Batu Ferringhi.
“We want a convenient facility for the youth here to play and train without the need to go to the island for the beach volleyball court.
“At the same time, we also want to unearth new talent and also promote interest in beach volleyball among the young,” Soon said in his speech before launching the twin beach volleyball courts today.
Also present were state Agrotech and Food Security, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin, who is also the Penanti assemblyman, and Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP) director Harry Chai Heng Hua.
Norlela expressed her appreciation and thanked Soon for approving the allocation to build the twin beach volleyball courts in Penanti.
“It is hoped that this facility can be used to train youth to be world-class athletes in beach volleyball and make the state and the country proud,” she said.
At the same programme, Soon also launched the U20 Beach Volleyball Tournament that started from today (June 3) until tomorrow (June 4).
The tournament is jointly organised by the MSNPP and Penang Volleyball Association (PVA).
Story and pix by Riadz Akmal