THE Jabfit team from Pulau Tikus, which beat four other teams during the Penang Rowing Indoor League Championship 2022 was surprised to emerge champion.
Its team leader Ooi Jen Juang, 29, said his teammates had not been confident as their competitors were strong.
“However, we gave a good fight,” he told StarMetro after the event at the Fitness District Gym, MBSP Stadium in Bukit Mertajam.
“We will keep up the momentum for the next tournament.”
Besides the challenge trophy, the team also won another trophy for being the overall best team, and a prize of RM1,500.
The first runner-up was the Fitness District team from Bukit Mertajam who won a prize of RM1,000 and a trophy while second runner-up Penang Island Paddlez Club (PIPC) team from Tanjung Bungah, took home a trophy and cash prize of RM700.
The fourth placing went to Gu Tao team from Sungai Pinang who won a cash prize of RM500.
Penang youth and sports committee chairman Soon Lip Chee officiated at the final match.
Also present were Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP) director Harry Chai Heng Hua and Penang Rowing Association president Sim Ghee Beng.
Soon, in his opening speech said the championship was the first indoor rowing event to be held in Penang and Malaysia, and he congratulated the association for organising it.
He said the event was held for five rounds in different venues across Penang from March 26 to April 30.
“This championship attracted 80 athletes in four teams.
“This championship also made it compulsory to have at least two Under-23 juniors in every team, with athletes from 14 to 51 years old, to promote junior development which aligns with the Penang government’s ‘sports for all’ initiative,” he said.
Soon added that the Penang Rowing Association was planning a national-level Penang Rowing Indoor Championship in July.
