PENANG Governor Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas declared open the Asia Pacific Master Games 2018 in a colourful ceremony at the City Stadium on Saturday night as the weather turned out to be generally kind to the organisers and spectators unlike the dress rehearsal the previous night.
There was great concern that the ceremony might be washed out as it had been raining quite heavily, on and off, for the past two days.
Even a short spell of rain occurring during showtime did not dampen the spirits of Penangite Dasha Logan, who sang the theme song “Beyond the Games,” and the dancing troupe from the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) while performing the “Sounds of Malaysia.”
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, in his speech, said today is a historic day for Penang for staging the first-ever Masters Games to be held in Asia.
“To thousands of local and foreign participants, families and friends who are in Penang, I invite you to sample the best Penang has to offer,” Chow said.
“In between your sports engagement, come and enjoy our warm hospitality while you explore attractions like the George Town Unesco Heritage Site enclave, our serene beaches and the ride up Penang Hill.
“Masters Games throughout the world have emphasised the importance of goodwill, making friends and staying healthy.
“Befitting the APMG 2018 tagline ‘Beyond the Games’, it is my sincere hope that by the end of the APMG 2018, everyone returns home with plenty of good memories.”
APMG 2018 president Chong Eng was proud to see multitudes of people from not only Malaysia but from 63 other countries who will live out their sporting dreams for the next one week in Penang.
“As hosts, Malaysians make up the biggest representation in APMG 2018 but I am also encouraged by the response from fellow Asian countries like India, Japan, China, Mongolia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Iran and South Korea. They will be making their presence felt in the Games,” she said in her speech.
“From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for agreeing to be part of this historic Masters Games.
“And for the very first time for Masters Games, a Torch Run was organised. More than 10,000 participants from various ages covered more than 3,900km throughout Malaysia, beginning from the tip of Borneo in Kudat, Sabah on April 28 and was carried through all the 13 states and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.”
International Masters Games Association (IMGA) president Kai Holm commended Penang as an excellent hosts.
“It has surpassed our high expectations. I have no doubt that for next week, there will be exciting celebration of sports in Penang. You have every reason to be proud of yourself and I hope you have an amazing time,” said Holm, adding that the Games emphasise a healthy lifestyle.
Earlier upon his arrival, Abdul Rahman, together with Chow, were driven on a buggy for a lap of honour inside the stadium.
They were accompanied by five trishaws, with each rider carrying Chong Eng, state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee, deputy Youth and Sports Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, state secretary Datuk Seri Farizan Darus and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang.
Among the dignitaries present at the ceremony were Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Datuk Rashid Hasnon, APMG 2018 ambassador Tunku Imran Tunku Jaafar, deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Sim Tze Tzin and state Tourism Development, Heritage, Culture and Arts Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin.
Then came one of the highlights of the Games – the parade of the athletes – who were warmly welcomed to the pitch by 1,000 volunteers surrounding the stadium track.
A total of 5,564 athletes from 64 countries are taking part in the Games. They marched in according to their sports, not according to countries, as is the tradition of the Masters Games.
In all, there are 22 sports, with wushu, pencak silat, lion dance and tenpin bowling making their debut. The other games are archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, cycling, football, netball, shooting, softball, squash, swimming, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, golf, hockey, taekwando and weightlifting.
The torch run finally ended at the stadium with former Olympic archer Cheng Chu Sian carrying the torch before passing to former SEA Games champion and Sports Commissioner Datuk Zaiton Othman, who then relayed it to 1972 Munich Olympian PLBS Peyadesa and 1978 Asian Games 400 gold medallist Saik Oik Cum.
Both Payadesa and Oik Cum ran for some metres and then proceeded to the spectators’ stand to jointly light 12 flames of a wheel.
On behalf of the athletes, Penangite N. Shanmuganathan was given the honour to recite the athletes’ oath.
The spectators were later treated to vibrant performances from the school bands of Penang Free School, Penang Chinese Girls School, St Xaviers Institution and Chung Hwa Confucian before a big boria troupe, comprising dancers from various states, came on to perform the last act.
A splendid display of fireworks at the end of the show made the night more memorable particularly for those at the newly-renovated City Stadium.
Story by K.H. Ong
Photos by Alvie Cheng
Video by Alissala Thian