THE Penang State Sports Council (PSSC) has received RM10 million annually from the state government since 2018 to support its athletes and promote sports development.
Caretaker state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee, who has overseen the portfolio since 2018, emphasised the state’s commitment to sports development.
“The annual allocation is meant for PSSC to facilitate necessary developments and elevate sports to a higher level.
“The allocation has been utilised for various initiatives that have been carried out so far.
“In 2019, the ‘Sports For All’ initiative was launched to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle among the community in the state,” he explained during a press conference at the State Stadium in Batu Kawan today.
At the media conference, Soon also shared with reporters the range of efforts undertaken by his office, including athletes’ development, the provision of sports facilities by the Penang Stadium and Open Spaces Corporation (PSDKLPP), sports community and athletes’ welfare, and the establishment of a sports gallery to honour the state’s sportsmen’s contributions.
Soon expressed his highest appreciation to PSSC, PSDKLPP, and Penang Football Club Sdn Bhd (PFC) for their commitments.
“We have collaborated well and it is important to continue doing so to ensure the success of the “Sports for All’ initiative,” he added.
Soon highlighted that there were plans to establish a new snooker and billiard academy centre to nurture snooker talents, and a new Esports centre due to the growing popularity of esports.
Soon also expressed his hopes to see the development of the sport in Penang would achieve glory in the coming years.
Also present were PSSC director Harry Chai, PFC general manager Jeffrey Chew, and PSDKLPP executive director Rashidah Jalaludin.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud