THREE out of the five chess (Ok Chaktrong) players who will be representing Malaysia in this year’s SEA Games in Cambodia are from Penang!
During an exclusive interview with the Buletin Mutiara team on April 18 at the state’s e-sports academy in Komtar, Chua Jia-Tien, 20, one of the participants, said that she is determined to make Penang proud by bringing home a medal.
“This will be my second time representing my state and country at the SEA Games for this sport, and I am hungry to bring home the medal for the first time this year.
“It won’t be easy but not impossible as well. The competition is going to be tight considering the presence of many world-class players at the Games.
“I will do my best and try to bring home a medal to make Penang and Malaysia proud,” Chua said during the interview.
When asked about her preparations heading into the SEA Games, Chua said she has been practising since February this year.
“Basically, there’s been a lot of online discussions with other chess players in Penang and sparring sessions with my friends,” she added.
Additionally, Chua said playing chess has helped her shine better in her studies, think critically about the next moves she should take in her life and lastly, it has made her understand herself better.
It was learnt that she started playing chess at the age of 7, thanks to her mum who played a key role in telling her that chess is not only meant for men but can be mastered by women too.
Chua is currently studying at the Multimedia University in Melaka.
Meanwhile, another player, Eshwant Singh Anoop Singh, is all excited ahead of his first-ever SEA Games.
“I hope to be among the top three winners despite joining the SEA Games for the first time ever.
“It really feels good to be chosen to play for my state and country, and with the confidence placed on me, I look forward to bringing back something that will make everyone proud,” he said.
Eshwant, who started playing chess for the first time at the age of seven, said it has helped him brush up his problem-solving skills and attain good results in examinations.
Eshwant, who is also from Multimedia University, has been practising since February as well.
Penang Chess Association president and Malaysia Chess Federation deputy president See Swee Sie, who was also present during the interview, said that Cambodia and the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) have strict guidelines that must be followed by each sport.
“As for Cambodia, each participant must be above 18, while OCM’s ruling is that the participants must be below 23.
“There are also other requirements, such as each player must have attained a world chess rating, as well as international and national achievements (top three) in past tournaments,” she added.
Also, present at the interview was Penang State Sports Council director Harry Chai, who said that he will be in Cambodia on May 5 with a delegation of five personnel from Penang to support the 60 athletes that will be competing in the SEA Games.
“I wish all the athletes the very best and may all their hard work be paid off in the most meaningful way at the end of the SEA Games,” he said.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Law Suun Ting