Sibu honours top paddlers of 2014

0

Crystal (second left) and Hsiao Fung receiving their incentives from Chong while Chen looks on.

SIBU: Paddlers from Sibu Division garnered seven gold, six silver and nine bronze medals at the 54th Sarawak Table Tennis Championship held in Sarikei in Dec.

The toast of the team was Crystal Tiong who made her international debut representing Malaysia at the ASEAN Schools Championship held in the Philippines last year. Crystal grabbed three golds at the state championships in Under-18 and U-15 singles while partnering Sia Siew Fung to win the doubles.

Sibu’s other gold medalists were Desmond Ling in Men’s Veteran, Men’s veteran team, Sia Hsiao Ching in Girl’s Singles Open category and Lee Ya Mei in Women’s Veteran.

“We never expect to achieve such marvelous results and we are grateful to all the players who have contributed in one way or another to the success story of Sibu table tennis team,” Sibu Ping Pong Association (SPPA) chairman Dr Clement Chen said at the Ping Pong Night held here recently.

SPPA also presented special incentives to outstanding paddlers for the year 2014.

Topping the list was 13-year-old Karen Lyne Dick of SMK Methodist who was third in the Girl’s U-13 at the National Table Tennis Championship and second in the junior category of the Malaysian Schools Table Tennis Championship.

She has earned a call-up for centralised training in Bukit Jalil Sports School.

Karen, who is finalising plans to study at Bukit Jalil in July, was also recently appointed as ambassador for CSG Table Tennis Trading Company .

The company will sponsor her T-shirts, footwear and racquet.

Others who received their incentives included Su Kwong Ai, Sia Hsiao Feng, Lau Meng Ling, Lau Lee Ping, Sia Hsiao Ling, Wong Chung Yew, Sia Hsiao Ching and Fion Soh from local businessman and sponsor Joseph Chong.

Meanwhile, SPPA has already drawn up its calendar of events for the year.

The first championship will be the junior championship for Boy’s U-18 and Girl’s U-15 on March 28 and 29. The Group B and Group D categories will be held in March, to be followed by the Men’s, Ladies and Mixed Open doubles categories in June.

The New Hope championship will be held in July 25, 26, to be followed by the Men’s and Women’s Open Championships and Group B categories from Aug 29 to 31.

The Veteran categories will be on Sept 26 and 27, culminating in the President’s Cup on Oct 24 and 25.