GEORGE TOWN: THAILAND’S national team made their debut at the 2nd CSC Invitational Waterpolo 4-on-4 Championship at the Chinese Swimming Club in Tanjung Bungah, here, recently.
The Thailand Amateur Swimming Association ‘A’ team thrashed defending champions Chinese Swimming Club ‘A’ (CSC) 13-3 and vowed to return next year to defend their title.
Thailand’s attention is on water sports as it would be hosting the biennial Asian Beach Games in Phuket this month.
Their participation in Penang was to build a strong team in preparation for the games, due to the inclusion of water polo.
Thailand was represented by two national teams with two teams from Singapore also joining the fray.
In the Women’s Open category, CSC were given a tough time by Selangor. It was a see-saw battle until the closing minutes when the hosts netted five straight goals to capture the title.
CSC president Datuk Lye Siew Weng applauded the players for their passion and enthusiasm, and the organising committee for a smooth competition.
The former state assembly deputy speaker urged the organising committee to invite more foreign teams, especially women’s teams, and make the event the most popular in the region.
Some 21 teams, including four women’s teams, competed for the Datuk Lye Siew Weng Challenge Trophy at the club’s Olympic-sized salt water pool along the tourist belt of Tanjung Bungah.
Organising committee chairman Dr Lee Hock Hee said it was the only 4-on-4 competition to be conducted in the country and was sanctioned by the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia.
“In hosting this event, we are able to revitalise the objectives and direction for the continuous development of water polo, which we hope will improve the interest and participation,” said Dr Lee.
RESULTS — Boys’ Under-18 3rd-4th: Perak ‘A’ 15 Chinese Swimming Club ‘B’ 3; Final: Selangor 8 Chinese Swimming Club ‘A’ 7.
Men’s Open 3rd-4th: Thailand Amateur Swimming Association ‘B’ 7 Chinese Swimming Club ‘B’ 6; Final: Thailand Amateur Swimming Association ‘A’ 13 Chinese Swimming Club ‘A’ 3.
Women’s Open 3rd-4th: Chinese Swimming Club Women ‘B’ 5 Sarawak Women 3; Final: Chinese Swimming Club Women ‘A’ 11 Selangor Women 6.