THE 6th Penang Chief Minister Cup Interschool Table Tennis Championships 2026 has set a new participation record, drawing an impressive 701 students from 73 primary and secondary schools across Penang to compete in 300 teams.
The record turnout marks the largest event ever organised by the Penang Table Tennis Association (PTTA), highlighting the sport’s growing popularity among school students and the importance of nurturing young talent through grassroots competitions.
Speaking at the opening ceremony at the PTTA building in Gat Lebuh Macallum on Oct 17, PTTA president Datuk Michael Tiah said the championship, established in 2019 with sponsorship from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), had grown into an important fixture on Penang’s school sports calendar.
He expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow for allocating RM50,000 to cover the championship’s expenses, along with an additional RM50,000 to support the association’s activities.
Tiah also thanked Chow and the state government for their continued commitment to developing table tennis in Penang, saying such support was crucial to sustaining the sport’s growth and nurturing the next generation of players.
He noted that the association was facing increasing challenges in securing funding as the demand for athlete training and development programmes continued to rise.
“The state government’s financial assistance would help strengthen youth development programmes,” he said.
Tiah also acknowledged the longstanding support of the Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP) and the Penang Education Department, which have played important roles in advancing the sport at the grassroots level.
Highlighting Penang’s achievements on the national stage, he said the state team had clinched the overall championship title at the National Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Championships in both 2025 and 2026.
At the 2026 edition, Penang secured an impressive haul of five gold, five silver and six bronze medals, further cementing its position as a strong contender in junior and cadet table tennis.
The state also delivered an encouraging performance at the Malaysia Games (Sukma), contributing three gold, two silver and two bronze medals.
Tiah said these achievements reflected the dedication of Penang’s athletes and coaches, as well as the importance of providing young players with opportunities to develop their skills and gain valuable competitive experience.
He urged students participating in the interschool championships to make the most of the opportunity by giving their best, displaying good sportsmanship and competing with passion and determination.
He added that the competition served as an important platform for identifying promising young players who could eventually represent Penang at higher levels of competition.
With participation reaching a new high this year, the championship is expected to play an increasingly important role in strengthening Penang’s table tennis talent pipeline and ensuring a steady flow of young players into the state team.
Also present at the opening ceremony were Chief Minister’s political secretary Lau Keng Ee, organising committee chairman Datuk Ang Aing Thye and MSNPP director Harry Chai Heng Hua.