CHRIS Cheng Lai Peng, or better known as Chris, a spirited 66-year-old with an infectious enthusiasm for pickleball, has channeled her passion for the sport into a heartfelt charity drive, aiming to make a difference for wheelchair-bound athletes.
Her journey began with a simple idea: "When Michael Liew from the Kuala Lumpur Pickleball Association (KLPA) approached my company, Prudential, to come in as one of the sponsors for the Skechers International Pickleball Tournament 2024 organised by the KLPA (which ended recently), I contemplated how I could also play my part."
The mother of one eventually decided to take it a step further by running her own corporate social responsibility (CSR) project. "I viewed this donation drive as part of my CSR work. The first thing I did was to sponsor wheelchair-bound players for the tournament," she elaborates, adding: "I covered RM100 of their registration fees, so they only had to pay RM20."
But Chris' vision extended beyond just covering fees. "I wanted to raise funds to buy wheelchairs for these athletes," she explains. Initially, Chris was told that a wheelchair would cost around RM2,500. "But when I spoke to para-athletes Abu Samah Borhan and his wife Norisah Bahrom, they informed me that a decent model would cost more than that. For example, the ones used in the Olympics cost RM30,000. Norisah's own wheelchair costs RM18,000," she shares.
Driven by her desire to make a larger impact, Chris launched a donation drive within the pickleball community. "The drive started just before the Skechers tournament. My partner Edward Chan and I both love pickleball and wanted to see it made accessible to everyone," she confides, voice tinged with emotion. "Seeing the joy on the players' faces, the smiles and the satisfaction when they won, made me want to touch this community."
EMPATHY NOT APATHY
Her kindly eyes well up as Chris recalls the experience. "I was just so moved by the smiles and the happiness of the players. It's not something many people pay attention to," she says, voice cracking with emotion.
Adding, she shares: "I wanted to do something meaningful for them, especially since the Skechers tournament included a mixed ability category, allowing physically less-abled players to compete alongside able-bodied athletes."
Her partner, Chan, had a unique opportunity to play with Norisah, experiencing firsthand the challenges and triumphs of mixed ability pickleball. "I spoke to a 21-year-old finalist in a wheelchair who plays tennis. It made me reflect on what if my own son faced such challenges," she shares softly, adding: "This boy had been in an accident, and seeing his fighting spirit was truly inspiring."
For Chris, the experience has been a lesson in resilience and perspective. "The para-athletes I've met are incredibly positive and independent. Meeting Norisah and Abu taught me not to sweat the small stuff. They've shown me that we take so much for granted. Their support for each other is heartwarming, and it's a reminder to be grateful for what we have," she reflects with a small smile.
Taking a sip of her coffee, Chris proceeds to touch on the importance of cultivating empathy. "Too many people lack empathy and struggle to put themselves in the shoes of the less-abled. They should ask themselves, what if they were in that position? Who would help them buy these expensive wheelchairs?" she postulates, expression earnest.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Her love for pickleball is intertwined with her mission for inclusivity. "I want everyone in the community to enjoy the game like we do. There are so many out there who don't care, and I want to change that," she says, choking up again.
Continuing wryly, she muses: "I honestly didn't know how expensive these wheelchairs are. If we can raise enough to buy even just 10 wheelchairs, we would be touching 10 lives. Even if it's just one wheelchair, I believe we're still making a difference."
Reflecting on her career at Prudential, where she spent 33 years in the industry, Chris sees a parallel in her current efforts. "In insurance, we touch lives, and I bring that same concept to this cause. I want to help physically-challenged individuals experience the joy of pickleball, just like the rest of us," she explains.
Her aim is to continue raising funds to purchase high-quality wheelchairs and bring attention to the needs of this community. Confides Chris: "I hope to raise enough to buy these special chairs and collaborate with organisations, like the KLPA, to make a broader impact. I'm in discussions with many parties about how to spotlight these athletes and encourage corporate donations."
The sporty Perakian started playing pickleball in June of the previous year, but her commitment to the sport and its community has quickly deepened. "I also play tennis, do boxing, hiking, and swimming. Ted Thor was my first coach, and now my son, Jia Wey, has caught the pickleball bug too," she shares, chuckling happily.
As the minutes tick and it's time for us to leave for our respective appointments, Chris concludes with unwavering resolve: "I'm determined to keep making a difference. Even if I can only impact a few lives, I know I'm doing something meaningful. Life doesn't stop at any age, and pickleball has given me a new way to give back."