Sukma rewards

The Penang government handed out RM553,200 in incentives yesterday to athletes, coaches, managers and sports associations for their contributions to the impressive medal haul at last month’s 24th Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak. The chess contingent alone earned a collective RM53,500 through their outstanding performance.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow praised Penang's overall success which surpassed expectations with a total of 41 Gold, 45 Silver and 53 Bronze medals. Athletes were further motivated by an increase in rewards, with Gold medallists now receiving RM6,000, an increase from RM4,000 previously. Meanwhile the Silver and Bronze winners still received RM2,500 and RM1,500, respectively.

One of the standout sports was the chess discipline. Penang's chess players made a significant impact by securing five Gold, four Silver and two Bronze medals, making the game a key contributor to Penang’s overall success. Chess stood proudly alongside judo (which won six Golds) as well as athletics and boxing (with five Golds each). It’s not every day that chess takes centre stage at a multi-sport event like Sukma, but this time, it truly deserved the spotlight! My earlier story on the medal winners can be read here.

MSNPP director Harry Chai Heng Hua described Penang’s participation in this year’s Sukma as the best in 38 years. He noted that the last time Penang came close to this achievement was in 2004 and 2006, with 38 Golds each time. This year’s target was 40 Golds, which was matched when the chess discipline delivered the 39th and 40th Gold medals through Poh Yu Tian and Chua Jia Tien in the Open and Women’s blitz chess events. The 41st Gold came from Wilson Yeoh in artistic gymnastics. But what truly thrilled me was that my niece, Melissa Chong, was one of the three athletes who broke Sukma records, winning Gold in the heptathlon!

As someone closely involved with chess, I couldn’t be prouder of our boys and girls for securing those five Gold medals and putting Penang’s name among the best in the country. I can only hope this success inspires even more young players to take up chess and aim for even greater achievements in the future!