1,365 to vie for chance to represent state

KUCHING: A total of 1,365 athletes will compete in the 3rd Sarawak Games (SUKSAR) to vie for a chance to represent Sarawak in the upcoming 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA).

Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said SUKSAR served as a platform and training ground to scout potential athletes to represent Sarawak in SUKMA next year.

“Apart from scouting talented individuals, the event will also introduce the core sports to each zone in Sarawak to cultivate interest and unearth new talents.

“The event also serves as an exposure programme for emerging athletes gearing up for SUKMA next August,” he told a press conference at Baitul Makmur II here yesterday (Dec 21).

For SUKSAR’s eligibility, Abdul Karim said participants must adhere to SUKMA’s guidelines, including being under 21 years old or younger, having never secured Gold at SUKMA, and not having been part of the National Talent Development Programme (Program Pelapis Kebangsaan).

The upcoming edition of SUKSAR, scheduled to take place in Sibu from January 15 to 18, will feature four contingents: North Zone (Limbang, Miri, Bintulu), Central Zone (Sibu, Mukah, Kapit), West Zone (Sarikei, Betong, Sri Aman), and Southern Zone (Serian, Samarahan, Kuching).

It will include 13 sports items, including weightlifting, cycling, volleyball, basketball, futsal, hockey, judo, karate, silat, sepak takraw, boxing, Taekwondo and Wushu.

The venues are distributed across Sibu, with weightlifting competition held at Dewan Melayu Melanau; cycling at Sibu Jaya-Jalan Julau/Taman Jubli Bukit Aup; basketball at Gelanggang Bola Keranjang KRT Sg. Antu; volleyball at Dewan Bola Tampar Rejang Park; futsal at Gelanggang Futsal Kampung Nangka; hockey at Stadium Tertutup Bukit Lima.

Judo and karate will be held at Pusat Sukan Komuniti Azman Hashim; silat at Dewan Kelab Melayu Kampung Nyabor; sepak takraw at Dewan Sepak Takraw Kampung Bandong; Wushu at Sekolah Wong Nai Siong; boxing and Taekwondo at Sibu Indoor Stadium.

Abdul Karim will officiate at the opening ceremony on Jan 15, while Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will officiate at the closing ceremony on Jan 18.

The 2025 edition of SUKSAR is slated to take place in Sri Aman.

Also present at yesterday’s press conference were Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan; MYSED Deputy Permanent Secretary Dolhadi Mazuki and Sports Development Division chief assistant secretary Khairul Nizam.