PING PONG MEET: Chin (right) presenting a souvenir to a representative of the Miri table tennis team in Miri Indoor Stadium.
MIRI: The government invests money in the development of sports for the benefit of youths who may one day bring glory to the country in international sports meet.
“For next year, the Ministry of Youth and Sports allocated RM730 million for development purposes of sports, especially those with good potential,” said the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui at the official opening of the 52nd Sarawak Ping Pong Tournament organised by Miri Table Tennis Association on Dec 7.
The four-day state-level sports meet with the 2012 Challenge Trophy named after sponsor Tan Sri Datuk Jimmy Lau Hieng Wui took place at Miri Indoor Stadium.
“There are many young players in the teams, who can all learn something, and with the incentives being given you might achieve the results necessary to represent the state, and one day, you can also become a champion in ping pong,” said Chin who was accompanied by his political secretary Datuk Sebastian Ting.
SYMBOLIC START: Chin (left) trying his hands at ping pong in a symbolic start of the 52nd Sarawak Ping Ping Tournament in Miri Indoor Stadium.
Chin commended the organiser for keeping up with the annual sports meet that will help draw the interests of sports fan to the game, while promoting good relations among the people as a recreational activity.
“Ping pong is a healthy sport which builds discipline, and the government emphasise on a healthy lifestyle, particularly through sports, which also can be a tool for unity involving activities that’s healthy for our mind and body,” he said.
Chin presented souvenirs to representatives of the eight participating teams from Bintulu, Kuching, Limbang, Miri, Mukah, Samarahan, Sarikei, and Sibu, and symbolically launched the meet with a short game at the ping pong table.
“Sports bodies must work closely with the government to produce champion athletes at the international level, like Pandalela who brought honour to the country in the London Olympics this year,” he added.
There are various categories of the game with trophies at stake including for Men Open Singles, Women Open Singles, Boys U-18 Singles, Girls U-18 Singles, Boys U-15 Singles, Girls U-15 Singles, Boys U-13 Singles, Girls U-13 Singles, Boys U-10 Singles, Girls U-10 Singles, Veteran Men Singles U-45, Veteran Men Singles U-55, Veteran Women Singles U-50, Non-Chinese Men Singles, Men Doubles, and Women Doubles.