THE Penang government today awarded incentives to two local athletes who had won medals in their respective sports events during the 2021 Asian Youth Para Games in Bahrain, December last year.
The incentives, under the Penang State Sports Incentive Scheme (Skimas), are given to Penang-based athletes who excel in sports.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who was present at the mock cheque handover ceremony, congratulated Zy Lee Kher, 15, and Muhammad Amin Azmi, 18, for their achievements.
“Congratulations to both Lee Kher and Muhammad Amin for the accolades achieved in the 2021 Asian Youth Para Games in Bahrain.
“In total, our country’s contingent had managed to bring back three gold medals, five silver medals and five bronze medals.
“Out of the 13 teenagers who had participated in the Games, two of them were Penangites.
“Lee Kher had contributed a gold, a silver and a bronze medal in the para swimming category, while Muhammad Amin was a silver medalist in the para badminton category.
“Originally, Skimas does not allocate any incentive for athletes in the Youth Category who did well in sports.
“However, based on the excellent achievements by the two athletes, the Penang government is honoured to approve their incentives at a rate of 10% of the actual value of the incentives,” he said in his speech in Komtar today.
In total, Lee Kher received RM4,200 while Muhammad Amin obtained RM1,200.
Lee Kher won a gold medal in the Men’s 200m Freestyle S1-5 with a time of 3:02.91; a silver medal in the Men’s 50m Butterfly S2-7 event with a time of 59:09 and a bronze medal in the Men’s 200m Ind. Medley SM5-10 with a time of 3:58.69.
When met, Lee Kher was delighted with his own achievement.
“I was proud to win all these medals during the Games two months ago.
“It was not an easy task as I had to strike a balance between my academic and training.
“I thank my parents for their words of encouragement and support.
“Having a right mindset and being optimistic are utmost important,” he told Buletin Mutiara.
The Chung Ling Private High School student said he normally has his trainings after school.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Amin who won the silver medal in the para badminton category, was in a jovial mood after receiving the incentive from the state.
“This encourages me to continue to do my best for the state and country. I want to make Penang proud.
“I have been playing badminton for seven years since I was 12-years-old.
“I will continue to perform my best in the next tournament, which is expected to be held in Kuala Lumpur next month,” he said.
Muhammad Amin’s mother Aminah Mohd Hashim, who was present, was proud of her son’s achievement.
Penang State National Disabled Persons Sports and Recreation Association (Penang Pesron) president Ilias Yahaya was upbeat that the athletes under the association had achieved success.
“I hope that more people will acknowledge the achievements by the para athletes in the future,” he said.
Also present were state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee, Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng, Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan, Penang State Sports Council director Harry Chai and Penang Pesron secretary Rashidah Mat Saad.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Law Suun Ting