Train hard and aim for SEA Games, petanque players told
SIBU: Local businessman Dato Thomas Tieng has reminded petanque players to train hard and help Malaysia to achieve something big during the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.
Tieng, who was representing Lanang MP Datuk Tiong Thai King, said this at the Sibu Open Petanque championship opening ceremony at 10th Battalion Campo at Lanang Road yesterday.
“Hopefully the players taking part in this tournament can help the country bring in more gold medals in the coming SEA Games,” he said.
Tieng also added that petanque is becoming a popular sport, as indicated by the increasing number of players taking up the game.
A total of 250 participants, including 98 men’s teams and 27 women’s teams, are taking part in the two-day championship organised by Sibu Petanque Association (SPA).
They included those from Brunei, West Malaysia, Sabah, Miri, Kuching, Mukah, Sarikei, Bintangor and host Sibu.
The teams will be vying for the N.52 Dudong Datuk Tiong Thai King Cup which was into its second edition. The first was held in 2011 and since then, it was never staged.
But this year, the tournament is making a comeback after SPA was registered on Sept 21.
Tieng also reminded the players to mix around and make more friends during the championship.
“We are all in one big family. We play our games together and we celebrate our festivals together.
“Friendship is forever and friendship is diamond.”