Over 3,000 participants have gathered in Ipoh to join the sports tournament between local authorities in Malaysia (MALA 2022) starting yesterday.
The Ipoh City Council (MBI) is hosting the tournament in conjunction with the celebration of 34th Ipoh City Day.
The opening ceremony of the tournament was completed by Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad at the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium in Ipoh yesterday.
Present were Mayor of Ipoh, Dato’ Rumaizi bin Baharin and Mayor of City Council Of Penang Island also President of MALA, Dato’ Ar. Yew Tung Seang.
City of Ipoh was also made the location for the officiating event of this tournament which began on June 3 till October 30.
It involves three phases of competition with 11 sports events to be held at five local authorities nationwide namely MBI, Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB), Pasir Gudang Municipal Council (MBPG), Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) and Pekan District Council (MDP).
The first phase of the tournament at the MBI Sports Complex covers football, darts and hockey with the participation of 52 local authorities.
Saarani in his officiating speech stated that the organisation of MALA in Ipoh this year is special as it is in celebration of Ipoh City Day.
He congratulated MBI for successfully coordinating the event among other duties.
“I hope the participants will have an interesting and fun experience here.
“Sports are an important element in strengthening camaraderie besides teaching us the meaning of unity and cooperation.
The opening ceremony featured a parade of contingents, raising of tournament flag, reading of oath and fireworks.
The tournament then began with a hockey match between the MBI and Seberang Perai City Council in which MBI won.
ROSLI
