Penang Ching Xing Sports and Cultural Centre troupe celebrate after winning the top spot in the championship. — Photos: CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
THE lion dance troupe from Penang Ching Xing Sports and Cultural Centre managed to edge out 20 other teams, including four from Kuala Lumpur and two from Selangor, to win the 2nd Forward Cup National Traditional Lion Dance Championship.
Troupe members from Bandar Baru Ayer Itam impressed the judges with their precise and energetic moves so much that they were awarded a high score of 9.03.
They took home a RM3,000 cash prize and a trophy.
Coming in a close second with a 8.96 score was the Penang Hong Guan Cultural Association, followed by Persatuan Tarian Singa Jong Hwa Seberang Prai BM Team A (8.80).
Next were Persatuan Tarian Singa Jong Hwa Seberang Prai BM Team B (8.76) and Persatuan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Hong Wei Pulau Pinang (8.55).
The runners-up were each awarded between RM500 and RM2,000 and a trophy after the one-day championship held at the Penang Chinese Town Hall in Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling.
One of the participating troupes in action during the competition.
Present at the event were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Thai consul-general in Penang Raschada Jiwalai, Penang Chinese Town Hall chairman Tan Sri Dr Tan Khoon Hai, Penang Forward Sports Club chairman Lim Choo Hooi, Penang Wushu, Lion and Dragon Dance Association chairman Datuk H’ng Ban Choon and Penang State Sports Council director Harry Chai.
Chow lauded the Penang Forward Sports Club for actively working with the state government and various associations, hosting various cultural and sports activities, assisting the state to promote various activities and policies, and acting as a bridge between the people and the government.
“In addition to providing a platform for such troupes to demonstrate lion dances and cultural exchanges, the championship will also help to promote the tourism industry in the state.
“It is amazing that the Penang Forward Sports Club committee managed to organise the event and attract 21 troupes to participate within a few months after the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said in his opening speech.
Tan said the championship showcased the beautiful age-old Chinese culture.
He added that the lion dance had united various ethnic groups while displaying Malaysia’s unique multicultural values.
