By Luqman Hakim
Ipoh will soon be known as a Sports City where state, national or even international-level sports will be held.
Howard Lee Chuan How, Executive Councillor for Youth and Sports Development, stated that the Super Bodybuilding and Physique Championship also known as Mr Perak 2019, has been a part of the sports programme since the 1960s.
“Mr Perak 2019 is the first to get the state government’s backing. Hopefully, it’ll motivate bodybuilders to participate and be a tourist event in the future,” said Howard.
The championship was divided into 16 categories. Some 200 participants vied for a spot on Saturday, July 13 at Lost World of Tambun.
Present at the event was Sazali Samad, renowned Malaysian bodybuilder who has won several international bodybuilding titles. His presence was a timely morale booster for the competitors.
Freddy Yam, president of Perak Bodybuilding Association, mentioned that the championship was meant to lobby for the right to host Mr Malaysia in 2021. He hoped women would be able to participate by then.
The Malaysia Open International Woodball Championship was held at Taman D.R. Seenivasagam Park from Saturday, July 27 till Thursday, August 1.
Abdul Raaud Dimin, president of Perak Woodball Association, said that it was the first time such an event was organised by his association. Over a hundred participants from China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, Pakistan, Japan and Hong Kong took part.
He lamented that the game was not popular with Perakeans due to poor publicity and the non-availability of woodball courts.
“We hope our problem will be adequately addressed and gets the support it deserves from the state government.”
