OUT of the 62 gold medals Malaysia won at the recent Singapore SEA Games, 15 were clinched by Penang athletes.
That’s a whopping 25% from the nation’s second smallest state!
To mark their achievements, Penang rewarded these gold medallists in a ceremony held at Komtar on July 8. Thirteen athletes, or their representatives, turned up for the event. Under the programme called Skimas, gold medallists are awarded RM6,000 each, RM3,000 each for teams with two persons and RM1,500 each for teams with more than two members.A total of RM51,000 was given out.
“I am so proud of my son. He has made the country and the state proud. Right now, my son Tze Liang is in China for training,” Ooi Hong Cherng said of his son, Tze Liang when the senior Ooi was in Komtar to receive RM18,000 awarded to his son. Tze Liang won 4 gold medals in the 3m Springboard, 10m Platform, Men’s 3m synchronised Platform and Men’s 10m Synchronised Platform.
The other athlete who clinched more than one gold medal was Thor Chuan Leong who won the Individual Snooker and Double’s Snooker and earned himself RM9,000. Joining the team of gold medallists at Komtar were some of the athletes or their parents and sports association representatives.
The other gold medallists are Aggie Cheah, Esther Cheah, Adrian Ang, Siti Noor Amarina Ruhani, Siti Rahmah Othman, Vanessa Raj, Mohamd Syahir Mohd Rosdi, Muhammad Azwar Abdul Rahman, Mohd. Adi Fadri Ab Rahim and Zulfahili Ruslan.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, exco member Chong Eng, Penang State Sports Council (MSN) director Frederick Tan, board of director of MSN Ang Aing Thye were present to give away the cheques to the recipients.
In her speech, Chong Eng praised the parents of the athletes for their tireless support and also expressed her hope that the 17 silver and 13 bronze medallists will remain steadfast and strive for gold.
“All the achievements of Penang athletes, whether they won a medal or not, at the SEA Games prove that Penang is capable of producing quality sportspersons. Besides the parents, I would also like to thank the coaches, sports managers, sports associations and sports officers for their efforts,” Chong Eng said.
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