Chow holding Jalur Gemilang) and Soon (right) flagging off Love Penang Run 2023 in Kepala Batas. — Filepic
WITH the belief that sports can be a vital unifying factor, Penang has been promoting a healthy lifestyle as a way of life.
Sporting events in Penang such as City Walk, City Ride, Love Penang Run, LovePENANG Esport Championship, Penang Hill Heritage Forest Challenge, Glo-Walk, Bendang Run Balik Pulau and Penang Fellowship Ride have attracted thousands of participants.
The Penang Bridge International Marathon, an iconic event, drew 26,000 runners from around the world last year.
Since 2019, the Penang government has spent RM36mil to develop and improve sports facilities in the state.
Some of the high-impact projects were Nibong Tebal Arena in south Seberang Prai, Pokok Sena Sports Complex in north Seberang Prai and Taman Areca in Sungai Pinang on the island.
The investment included projects carried out by Penang Stadium and Open Area Corporation, Penang Sports Council, Land and District Office and other relevant agencies.
There is at least one large sports venue in every district for public use.
Among these are Bertam Sports Complex in north Seberang Prai, Jalan Betek Sports Complex in central Seberang Prai, Penang State Stadium in south Seberang Prai, City Stadium in the northeast district and Balik Pulau Sports Complex in the southwest district.
G Club Penang Cyclists chairman Datuk Dr Lim Seh Guan, an avid cyclist and advocate of bike commuting, said Penang government had always been supportive of the sporting community.
“Since 2008, we have organised many cycling events with the state government.
“We have never failed to get support from the state to ensure the smooth running of events.”
Citing the second Penang Fellowship Ride 2023 held in January, he said it would have been impossible to organise the event without assistance from state sports executive council chairman Soon Lip Chee and the Penang Sports Council.
“We needed to close both the Penang Bridge and the second Penang Bridge for the cycling event.
“No NGO would have had the ability to arrange meetings with so many state, federal and auxiliary departments to ensure adequate support for the safety of the riders,” said Seh Guan, who was the event’s organising chairman.
More than 2,500 participants, including Penang Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, took part in the event.
The ride took cyclists across both iconic bridges, beginning with the Penang Bridge and returning via the second Penang Bridge.
Ahmad Fuzi, who celebrated his 74th birthday that day, flagged off cyclists before joining them in the 66km ride.
Seh Guan said that compared to other states, Penang has many weekly sporting events organised by NGOs.
“We have football, badminton, running, cycling, walking, hiking and even swimming competitions every week.”
He is certain more NGOs will organise programmes now that Covid-19 is no longer pandemic.
“I hope we can have duathlon and triathlon events soon,” he added.
Seh Guan said Penangites and many others looked forward every year to the sports events.
Penang Forward Sports Club chairman Lim Choo Hooi said the state was on the right track when it came to promoting sporting events.
The club is a popular sports NGO that promotes running, dragon boating and lion dance.
“The relationship between Penang government and NGOs is good.
“The state has endorsed all the sporting activities organised by our club,” said Choo Hooi.
He is also the organiser of the monthly Garmin Fun Run, which is free for all.
He said Penang government should invite relevant sports NGOs to take part in the state’s meetings and discussions.
“We hope the state will listening to our suggestions and proposals to improve the quality of sports.
“Sports NGOs play a vital role as a conduit between sports activists and the state,” added Choo Hooi.
