THE Penang Rowing Association (PRA), which was formed only last year, is determined to revive rowing activities and promote them, especially among the students.
PRA president Sim Ghee Beng said the achievement of Penang veteran rower Khoo Boo Hock in the World Rowing Indoor Championships (WRIC) last night has further inspired them to carry out rowing activities when the movement control order (MCO) is lifted.
Khoo, a former dragon boat player, became the first Malaysian to take part in the world championships that was hosted by the International Rowing Federation.
He qualified for the grand finals of the 2,000m event in the Men’s Master 60-64 age group category by virtue of being Asia’s best rower with a personal best time of 7 minutes 46.2 seconds about a month ago.
Out of the 10 finalists from various countries, Khoo, 61, finished eighth with a time of 7:52.4. Although he did not beat his personal best, Sim said Khoo’s performance was still regarded as remarkable for his age.
“Khoo is a legend. He wants to row until he cannot row. We’re impressed and encouraged by his dedication, heart and spirit.
“We’re going to promote indoor rowing as an annual event. It’s a safe sport and can be done anywhere as long as you have some space for the rowing machine.
“The sport can also cater to a very wide range of ages. In the 2021 world championships, the oldest participant is 91 years old and the youngest is 13.
“A total of 63 countries took part. Surprisingly, there are more competitors in the senior category than the younger category,” Sim said.
He said there are three types of rowing competitions, namely land (indoor) rowing, flat water racing (at lakes and rivers) which is featured in major games like the Olympics, Asian Games and SEA Games, and coastal rowing.
“We plan to go to the schools and clubs to attract budding rowers so that we can build a team and participate in the Asian Indoor Championships which is held every year.
“If students never have a chance to learn the rowing skills and techniques, there will never be a rowing team. We’ll organise more races in the future to stir up their interest. We also plan to encourage para-athletes to take up this sport,” he added.
Sim said he received a verbal request for a friendly rowing match from his Thai counterparts last night.
Penang schools have shied away from rowing or dragon boat races after a tragic incident occurred in 2010 involving the Chung Ling High School team.
Their dragon boat capsized during a practice session at the North Strait, off the clan jetties, after colliding with a tugboat amid strong currents. The tragedy claimed six lives – a teacher and five students.
But two years ago, Sim said Chung Ling High School came back to participate in an indoor dragon boat race, paddling via simulation, alongside other schools like Chung Hwa Secondary School and St Xavier’s Institution.
Sim said his association is also thankful to Penang State Sports Council (PSSC) and the state government for offering space as well as some equipment at the Tanjung Bungah Water Sports Centre to help them kickstart their programmes.
Khoo, who himself took up rowing at the age of 15, said rowing is a good sport for the young. While canoeing and dragon boating took up most of his youthful days, he also enjoyed marathon running. He has to date run 10 marathons, clocking a personal best of 3 hours 29 minutes in 1986.
One of his proudest achievements was emerging the Penang Open canoe champion for three straight years from 2005 to 2007.
Because of his athletic excellence, Khoo was employed by Malayawata Steel for over 10 years and later Southern Steel for 29 years where he started off as an operator and then rose to become an assistant manager.
“When you train for something, you develop your discipline and you also begin to set goals. Sports, like rowing or football, encourage youths to stay away from gangsterism or illegal motor racing.
“Most of all, sports is not about winning or losing. Its value is about building team spirit and camaraderie which foster muhibbah or unity,” Khoo said.
State Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee, who was among those present at PSSC to give Khoo the morale support during his world challenge, later presented a certificate to Khoo for winning the Asian Continental Qualifier to the 2021 World Rowing Indoor Championships.
PSSC director Harry Chai Heng Hua also commended Khoo for being a positive role model.
“His dedication, commitment, sacrifice of time and energy is to be emulated by the young. The most decorated Olympian Michael Phelps once said, ‘Don’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the further you get,’” Chai said.
PRA secretary Khoo Kah Beng said Khoo (Boo Hock) performed creditably against great odds as a number of the participants in the world championships are former professionals or Olympians.
“Indoor rowing was at one time quite popular in Penang. I remember many teams took part in the Penang Indoor Rowing Championships about 20 years ago in Pisa. It was organised by MBPP (Penang Island City Council),” Kah Beng recalled.
“University students have better chances of taking up rowing because their institutions have a budget for the sport. For instance, USM has been involved in rowing for over 25 years. Their boats are now parked at Bukit Merah. Previously, most of the rowing activities were held in Putrajaya.
“Last year, however, five states, namely Penang, Malacca, Johor, Perak and Perlis, have formed their own state association. So, we still have a lot of room to develop the sport.”
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad and Alissala Thian