GEORGE TOWN, June 26 – The Penang State Government recently held a momentous event, the SKIMAS and BEST Handover Ceremony, to recognize and reward outstanding athletes and young talents. YB Soon Lip Chee, the Penang State Youth and Sports EXCO, announced that a total of RM31,500.00 was presented to eight athletes who secured gold medals in the SEA Games and PARA ASEAN Cambodia 2023. Additionally, RM36,583.34 was granted to 104 youths who excelled in various fields under the Penang Young Talent Excellence incentive – BEST! Anak Penang scheme.
YB Soon emphasized the significance of this ceremony, which was the first of its kind organized by the state government. The event aimed to celebrate the achievements of Penang’s talented individuals and provide them with well-deserved recognition and support. The 2023 Cambodia SEA Games showcased the remarkable performance of Penang athletes, with seven individuals contributing four gold medals to the state’s victory. Moh Keen Hoo and Thor Chuan Leong achieved success in Snooker, while Nurmaizatul Hanim Syafi Binti Shiek Fuad and Siti Nur Arfah Binti Mohd Nor made a mark in Women’s Field Hockey.
Muhammad Amirul Hamizan Bin Azahar, Muhamad Faris Bin Harizan, and Muhammad Danish Danial Bin Abdul Wahab excelled in Men’s Field Hockey. Furthermore, Zy Lee Kher showcased exceptional talent by clinching gold in the Men’s 200M Freestyle (S5) and Men’s 200M Individual Medley (SM5) events at the 12th ASEAN PARA Games, setting new records in the process. Under the SKIMAS program, individual gold medalists received RM6,000.00, while hockey players received RM1,500.00 each. Zy Lee Kher, who not only secured a gold medal but also broke two new ASEAN Para Games records, received an incentive of RM12,000.00.
YB Soon highlighted the accomplishments of Penang’s youth in various fields, ranging from poster making competitions and video game creation to STEM-themed innovation, dance, choir, and debate. A total of 104 talented youths, who participated in national and international level tournaments, were eligible to receive the BEST incentive scheme. This marks the second edition of the BEST incentive presentation ceremony, following the recognition of 99 young talents last year. Since the inception of the scheme, a total of 203 youths have qualified to receive the BEST incentive, showcasing the abundance of talent in Penang.
Encouraging the youth of Penang, YB Soon urged them to continue their pursuit of excellence in their respective fields. He emphasized the importance of achieving outstanding results and bringing further glory to Penang on national and international platforms. The Penang State Government’s commitment to recognizing and nurturing talent is evident through these incentives and ceremonies. By investing in the development and recognition of athletes and young talents, Penang aims to create a thriving ecosystem that fosters excellence and propels the state’s name to greater heights.
