Abdul Karim praises Sarawak’s triumph at 21st Sukma

KUCHING (Sept 15): Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has expressed pride that Sarawak was named the overall champion of the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) on the final day of the competitions.

Abdul Karim shared that he was at home watching the nail-biting gold medal match of ping pong between Kedah and Federal Territories, which would dictate whether Sarawak could be crowned as the overall champion.

“Finally, I was able to have that feeling of fulfilment, glory and happiness when Sarawak became the overall champion,” he said during an incentive presentation ceremony for Sarawak Sukma medallists, which was graced by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at a local hotel last night.

Sarawak topped the gold medal table with 76 golds to win the championship while Federal Territories took the second place with 75 golds.

Abdul Karim said he could feel the entire state of Sarawak was anxiously awaiting for Sarawak to be proclaimed as the champion of the biennial Sukma. He believed the Sukma mobile application, which kept the public constantly updated with the latest medal tally, played a role.

“I can see the Sukma this time is a bit different compared with the previous editions, probably this is because the competitions have been digitalised and we are so well connected these days.”

Abdul Karim recalled Sarawak came very close of winning the Sukma in 2016 on home ground and was devastated to report to the then Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem that Sarawak had lost the championship to Selangor that year.

“We have waited a long time, as long as 30 years, to be named the champion again. It was a very long time. We came very close to being crowned as the overall champion in the 2016 edition of the Games,” said Abdul Karim, who added that he had been involved in supporting the state contingents in Sukma since the 90s.

He recalled that it was originally not Sarawak’s turn to host the national competitions, but the state government decided to take up to offer to organise the Games after all the states in the country had rejected in hosting it.

Abdul Karim highlighted the tremendous economic spin-off effects of the national competitions for the local business communities, benefitting the hospitality, food and beverage, transportation and craft industries, adding that some of the official merchandise was sold out before the competitions even began.

The state sports minister also expressed his gratitude to all parties for playing an instrumental role in the smooth running of the competitions, as well as the Resident offices in different divisions for coordinating and making sure the sports venues were ready for the Games.

Among those in attendance were Sarawak Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Deputy Ministers Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu and Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat, Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and the 21st Sukma Sarawak chief executive officer Datu Hii Chang Kee.