BINTULU: Sarawak Table Tennis Association has been urged to be more aggressive in promoting the sport, especially to young people, as it can help them cultivate discipline to face the challenges of life.

“The training they go through will enable them to understand the importance of discipline and grow up to be responsible citizens,” Bintulu MP Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said.

“Producing a disciplined young generation through sports should be given more attention,” he added.

He was opening the 48th Inter-Division Sarawak Milo Table Tennis competition from December 9-13 at SJK Chung Hua on Tuesday.

The eight divisions taking part in the 19 categories of events are Bintulu, Sibu, Sarikei, Miri, Samarahan, Mukah, Limbang and defending champions Kuching.

Tiong said the Beijing Olympics had shown to the world China’s strength in table tennis.

According to him, nations can challenge China’s supremacy and the Chinese themselves even say foreign players are lagging behind not because they are less talented.

“Some of them have very high standard but because the sport lacks support in their countries, the overall standard is not that high,” Tiong noted.

He pointed out that it was difficult to improve if players did not have proper coaching and exposure to tough competition.

“If your training is not well planned and if you keep playing against inferior opponents, you will find it hard to go up the next level. Without proper training and match exposure, success is also limited,” he added.

Tiong welcomed coaches from countries like China to train up the Malaysian paddlers.

“Although it takes time to become a top player, we should remember the wise saying that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” he said.