FIVE Penang-born athletes made Malaysia proud at the recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK, by bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals in various sports.
As a gesture of recognition, the state government awarded them RM23,500 under the Penang Sports Council Incentive Scheme (Skimas).
Chan Peng Soon, Cheah Yee See and Goh Jin Wei, who won gold medals in the badminton mixed team event, received RM4,500 each.
Azlina Arshad who won the silver medal in the women’s triples lawn bowling category, received RM4,000.
Amir Daniel Abdul Majeed received RM6,000 for bagging the bronze medal in the judo men’s 73kg category.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the special incentive was to celebrate the achievements of Penang-born athletes on an international platform.
“These achievements indirectly show that the state government’s initiative in implementing sports programmes at the grassroots level has successfully seeded new talents for Penang.
“We are especially proud of Amir as he made history by emerging as the first athlete in the country to win a medal in judo at the Commonwealth Games,” he said during a press conference held at his office in Komtar, George Town, Penang.
Chow said in addition to nurturing new talents, the state government had come up with various other initiatives to further develop the sports industry.
“We have allocated RM1.6mil this year for building, upgrading and repairing sports facilities.
“Among them are five sepak takraw courts, two jogging tracks, two futsal courts, four basketball courts, a volleyball court, two public fields and a sepak raga tuju (foot volleyball) court.
“In addition, the state government has allocated RM8.8mil to build the Nibong Tebal Arena, which will boast nine badminton courts.
“It is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023,” he added.
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