Final Report2018 CONTFinal Report ENTS 26 / Street Party 28 / Closing Ceremony 30 / Observer Programme 32 / Torch Run 36 / Opening Ceremony Run 37 / Games Headquarters 38 / Budget Summary/Finance Services 39 / Penang Institute Economic Impact Report 41 / Travel & Accommodation 43 / Accreditation 44 / Accreditation Centre & Booths Introduction // 46 / Transport (Rapid Penang & GRAB) 05 / Message from Chief Minister 48 / Registration Timeline 06 / Message from President APMG 49 / Registration System (online & offline) 07 / Message from Vice President APMG/ / Late Acceptance of Registration Mayor of City Council of Penang Island 50 / Green Gestures (Environmental) 67 / Photography & Video 08 / Message from Honorary Ambassador 68 / Media Volunteers & Press Release Appendices // 09 / Message from CEO APMG 69 / Media Coverage Report Marketing & Communication // 137 / Medical Working Group 10 / Executive Summary / 70 / Outdoor Advertising 51 Overview 138 / Opening & Closing Committee / 74 / Merchandise & Licensed Goods 52 Participants Recruitment 140 / Registration & Accreditation Committee Governance // / 53 IMGA Database 141 / Breakdown of Overall Registration 12 / Logo & Motto / 54 Reaching Out & Educate Sports // 143 / Breakdown of Registration (by Age) 13 / Mascot & Medals / 55 Presence at Events 78 / Overview 144 / Breakdown of Registration (by Gender) 14 / Beyond the Games Song / 56 Roadshows Calendar 2017 & 2018 80 / Working with Sports Partners 145 / Registration Trend by Month 16 / International Masters Games Association / 60 Direct Marketing Campaigns 88 / Sports Schedule 146 / Daily Accreditation 18 / Staff Organisational Chart / 61 Promotions 88 / Venue Map 147 / Registration by Locality 19 / Organising Sub-Committee / 62 Website & Mobile Apps 90 / Individual Sports 148 / Total Number of Medals 20 / Sponsors & Partners / 63 Social Network & E-mail 132 / Medical Report 149 / Facebook Statistics (Outreach and Boost) 22 / Sports Partners / 64 Partnerships 133 / Anti-Doping 150 / Website Statistics 23 / Volunteers / 65 Advertising Campaign 134 / Medal Ceremonies 152 / Newspaper Clippings 24 / Opening Ceremony 66 / Media Centre & Accreditation APMG 5 message from the Chief Minister of Penang YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW For nine memorable days, Penang played host to Asia’s first-ever multi-sport Masters Games event – the Asia Pacific Masters Games 2018. Penang is known as a trendsetter, and the APMG 2018 is no exception. The Malaysia Book of Records has acknowledged the Games as the first-ever Masters Games to be held in the region, with the greatest number of participating countries represented. More than 5,000 participants gathered in Penang to take part in the Games as either competitors or spectators. Penang’s reputation as a global tourist hotspot was underlined by the International Masters Games Association president Kai Holm, who declared the inaugural Masters Games in Asia as a success. As the Chief Minister of Penang, it was a great experience to witness athletes from 64 countries live and breathe the Games motto – “Beyond the Final Games”. Report Masters Games throughout the world have emphasised the importance 2018 of goodwill, making friends and staying healthy, and the APMG 2018 was no different. Over the course of the nine days and 22 sports in 18 venues throughout Penang, everyone had the opportunity to compete and experience the unique conditions that makes our state so special. I would like to sincerely believe that by the end of APMG 2018, everybody returned home with plenty of good memories. The staging of an event the size and scope of the APMG 2018 would simply not be possible without the men and women who gave up their time and provided full effort towards the success of the Games. I would especially like to thank the officials and volunteers for being such wonderful ambassadors for Penang and consolidating our reputation as one of South East Asia’s top destination. I also acknowledge the leadership, hard work and dedication of the APMG 2018 organising committee and their partners. They have delivered a remarkable event and should be congratulated on a job well done. YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow Chief Minister of Penang APMG APMG 6 7 message from the message from the President of APMG, Penang Vice President of APMG / Mayor of City Council of Penang Island YB CHONG ENG DATO’ AR YEW TUNG SEANG The Asia Pacific Masters Games (APMG) 2018 Penang was an unforgettable adventure for everyone that were involved in the The Asia Pacific Masters Games Penang 2018 lives on in the hearts wonderful and successful sporting event. and minds of everyone who was involved with the event. As hosts, Penang surpassed all expectations to deliver a meaningful and The Games’ success was all the more memorable for the fact that it unforgettable Games to the over 5,000 Masters participants who was the first time such an event had been held on Asian soil. came from all corners of the world. There were many challenges and obstacles, but I am glad the APMG It is not very often that a huge international multi-sports event like 2018 organising committee has managed to overcome them to put APMG 2018 comes around to Penang. It was a mammoth project, up a Games to be proud of. but through sheer hard work, dedication and most importantly, teamwork, we managed to overcome the obstacles and pull off a One of the biggest challenges Penang faced was in convincing fantastic job. people in this part of the world, especially Malaysians, that the sporting dream is not over for those who qualify as Masters athletes. For the first time in a Masters Games, we had a Torch Run which covered a distance of 3,908km The importance of being exposed to sports at all ages cannot be throughout all 13 states and the Federal Territories of Putrajaya and Labuan. The Torch Run underestimated, and I am very pleased to see a wide range of Final jointly organised by the Penang Island City Council and the Malaysian Association of Local Final sports, including Asian-themed events being included in APMG Authorities with the support of the various local councils in Malaysia, was a huge undertaking Report 2018. which required 99 days to complete. Report 2018 Judging from the success of APMG 2018, there is a huge future The collaboration by various parties in staging the APMG 2018 has proven that Penang has 2018 potential for the growth of Masters Games in this region. Penang the expertise and support to organise major world class events. We have proven that here in has successfully laid the groundwork for future host cities in Asia to Penang, we have the right people, facilities and resources in place to host more big events. continue expanding the culture of Masters sports in the continent, and the world. Organising the Games provided valuable lessons for everyone. The experience and lessons garnered from the organisation of the APMG 2018 will be put to good use to organise more major To everyone involved in the Games, I would like to convey a huge events in Penang in the future. The Games main organising committee worked around the clock thank you and congratulations on a job well done. Without your to get the preparations ready in time to welcome the participants and guests. involvement, we would not have staged such a memorable and successful event. The same goes to the Games’ Sports Partners and their various associates, who went out of their way to put up terrific competitions worthy of global recognition in all the 22 Masters sports Special thanks to the International Masters Games Association contested. (IMGA) for awarding Penang the rights to host the inaugural Masters I would also like to thank the officials, advisors, volunteers, sponsors, partners, the local Games in Asia and assisting us throughout the entire journey. We councils of Penang Island and Seberang Perai, federal and state agencies, and individuals who promised to introduce the culture of Masters sports among Asians, contributed towards the successful staging of the Games. and there is no doubt we achieved this goal. To everyone that I have just mentioned and those whom I have unintentionally left out, I would Thank you all for your support to the APMG 2018 Penang. like to wish a very big and hearty thank you for bringing a good name for Penang and Malaysia. APMG 2018 has succeeded in bringing everyone closer, and for me this is good enough to declare the event as a big achievement for Penang and for Malaysia. Thank you. YB Chong Eng President of APMG, Penang Dato’ Ar Yew Tung Seang APMG APMG 8 9 message from the message from the Honorary Ambassador CEO of APMG, Penang TUNKU IMRAN TUANKU JA’AFAR LINDA GEH This 1st Asia Pacific Masters Games 2018 is indeed a landmark First and foremost, I want to recognise the contributions and sacri- sporting event and I congratulate the Penang State Government fices of a total of about 2500 people that were involved in the overall and everyone involved in the successful hosting of the 22 sports preparation and organising of the Games. Everybody worked very for over 5,000 participants from more than 60 countries from hard for the success of APMG 2018. You are all amazing - Thank across all five continents. you! This Games provides masters athletes the golden opportunity to The organising team had only 21 months to prepare for the first-ev- compete and be a champion within their own age group, whilst er Asia Pacific Masters Games in Penang. It has to be noted that at the same time renew existing friendships and build new ones, most hosts are given four years to prepare. The time constraint did and also spend some quality family time to enjoy the unique not set us back as we attracted 5601 participants from 64 coun- heritage and culture of the beautiful Pearl of the Orient island of tries, surpassing the 5,000-target.