THE Penang Forward Sports Club (PFSC) has proven that it is more than just a sports organisation as it also has a heart for the community.
Aside from promoting health and unity through sports, the club has raised RM372,000 this year for the Silver Jubilee Home for the Aged, showing its compassion and commitment to community welfare.
The huge sum was contributed by generous donors to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Silver Jubilee Home, where a grand Charity Fun Run will also be held on December 21. The event will be jointly organised by the Lions Club of Tanjung and Friends of Penang Care Society.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who attended the club’s 39th anniversary dinner at the Penang Chinese Town Hall (PCTH), praised the club for its long-standing efforts in fostering community spirit while contributing to the welfare of Penang’s elderly.
“PFSC is not just a sports body, but a close-knit family built on compassion, goodwill and service. It stands as one of Penang’s pillars of community strength,” Chow said in his speech.
He commended club chairman Datuk Lim Choo Hooi for his leadership in spearheading the fundraising efforts.
Chow recalled that during last year’s anniversary dinner, the club raised RM88,000 for the home, but the amount has increased tremendously this year, thanks to the generosity of donors.
“This is truly an admirable and inspiring achievement. It reflects the caring, compassionate and united spirit that defines the people of Penang,” Chow said.
He also praised the club for its consistent support of the state government’s sporting initiatives, such as community runs and ball games, which promote active lifestyles and strengthen social cohesion.
“Over the years, the club has successfully united people from diverse backgrounds through sports, turning it into a bridge of harmony,” he added.
Chow also congratulated PFSC on its 39th anniversary and paid tribute to Lim for his 25 years of dedicated service.
“I hope your speech earlier was not an announcement of stepping down,” Chow quipped, drawing laughter from the audience.
“I believe you still have the energy and passion to continue leading the club forward,” he said.
He expressed hope that the club would continue to grow from strength to strength and inspire more Penangites to give back to society.
“Let us continue working together to build a caring and united Penang as we move towards the Penang2030 vision,” Chow said.
Earlier, Lim expressed his gratitude to all PFSC members for their support and sacrifices over the years.
“We have come a long way, as everyone here has consistently served the club throughout the years,” he said.
Lim also hoped to see the younger generation of club members continue striving for the club’s progress.
PCTH president Tan Sri Tan Khoon Hai extended his appreciation to PFSC for consistently promoting a healthy lifestyle among Penangites.
During the event, PFSC adviser Datuk Tom Khoo also contributed RM500,000 to the club. In addition, the club honoured its long-distance runner Yeow Ni Jia for his remarkable feat in the Standard Chartered KL Marathon (SCKLM) 2025 with RM13,000 reward.
Ni Jia has qualified to represent Malaysia at the SEA Games 2025 in Thailand this December.
Among those present at the reception were state Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi, state Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim, Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng, deputy Consul General for China Ding Qiao, Penang State Sports Council director Harry Chai, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) councillor Visvenathan Tangavello, and PFSC KL Team captain Sebastian Chin.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting