‘Agi idup, agi ngelaban’: Sukma’s 2024’s unifying force shared by all

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By Marlynda Meraw and Karen Bong

KUCHING, Aug 24: The spirit of ‘agi idup, agi ngelaban’ (as long as you’re alive, you keep on fighting) becomes a unifying force for every Malaysian attending the closing ceremony of the 21st Malaysian Games (Sukma 2024) at the Sarawak Indoor Stadium in Petra Jaya.

It was a force felt by many, endlessly echoing within the enclosed space—a spirit so powerful that even the Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, was moved to shout ‘agi idup, agi ngelaban’, touched by the indomitable Sarawakian spirit.

A week may have passed since the opening ceremony (August 17), but the crowd was still as eager to celebrate the closing together; their hearts united in the joy of the prestigious Sukma. Held biennially, Sukma’s significance is felt deeply, with memories of the last games in 2022, hosted by Kuala Lumpur (KL), still fresh in the minds of many.

The stage of Sukma 2024 drew to a close after 14 days of intense competition, concluding a journey that began on August 11. The official opening ceremony on August 17 set a tone for a celebration of youth, talent, and unwavering determination.

Over these two weeks, young aspiring athletes from across Sarawak poured their hearts into their performances, each one fuelled by a deep passion and the pursuit of victory.

The arrival of Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Malaysia Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, and other dignitaries were followed by a ‘Sporty Dance’ performance by a group of 230 primary schoolers from SK Encik Buyong, SK Astana, SK Chung Hua Number 2, SK Semerah Padi, SK Bandar Samariang, and the art coaching class by the Sarawak Art Council.

It was a vibrant display of energy as the children filled the arena, their movements perfectly synchronised in a spirited sports dance. The enthusiasm of these young performers set the tone for the evening, their bright faces reflecting the joy and excitement of the occasion.

The performance continued with a showcase of 15 contingents from Sukma, led by the Jalur Gemilang contingent from the 11th Royal Malay Regiment and 1st Division Infantry, with the host Sarawak coming last in the parade. As they marched on, each contingent was met with enthusiastic cheers from the audience, creating an energetic atmosphere throughout the event.

Everyone waited in anticipation, both athletes and the audience, as they sat in wait for the announcement of the award-giving ceremony for the best female and male athletes.

The award for the best sportswoman was presented to Gan Chien Jie from Negeri Sembilan, whose exceptional performance in sharpshooting had set her apart as the finest athlete of the event. Her dedication and skill illuminated the competition, earning her the highest accolade.

In a similar vein, the best sportsman title went to Andrew Goh from Selangor, whose outstanding swimming performance had outshone all others. His remarkable feats and unwavering determination secured his place as the top male athlete.

When it was time to crown the overall Sukma champion, the crowd’s cheer and applause surged like a tidal wave, celebrating their home team’s victory. Sarawak had done it—they defended their top spot and claimed the title of the ultimate champion until the very last day of Sukma.

At that moment, every Sarawakian heart beat as one, swelling with pride at the achievement. Sarawak, as this year’s host, claimed the overall championship with an impressive haul of 76 gold, 55 silver, and 70 bronze medals.

In a symbolic gesture, the Sukma championship flag, which had flown since August 17, was lowered by nine members of the Royal Malaysian Navy. The flag was later passed to Abang Johari, who in turn handed it over to Selangor’s Menteri Besar, Dato Seri Amirudin Shari, officially passing the torch to Selangor, the host of the Sukma 2026 edition.

In celebration of the passing of the torch, the spotlight shifted to a cultural performance by Selangor, a tribute to the state that will host Sukma in 2026. The dancers moved with grace and precision, embodying the rich cultural heritage of Selangor.

The performance was a beautiful blend of tradition and anticipation, hinting at the promise of another chapter in the legacy of Sukma.

The stage was set, and the lights dimmed, casting a hushed anticipation over the crowd. Everyone sat in eager silence, waiting for the coming performances to begin.

Then, the moment arrived—the stage lights flared as Malaysia’s own rock queen, Ella, appeared, her presence commanding the attention of everyone in the stadium. She launched into the iconic song “Standing In The Eyes of The World”, her voice ringing out with the strength and passion that have made her a legend.

The crowd erupted, the energy in the venue surging, singing along to the song as Ella’s performance became the highlight of an unforgettable night.

An electrifying performance by the dynamic group De’Fam followed, captivating their audience as strobe lights flashed, sending the crowd into an excited frenzy with their explosive energy, and concluded with Bob Yusof’s iconic ‘Di Sini Lahirnya Sebuah Cinta’ that never failed to touch the audience’s heart.

As the closing ceremony reached its climax, the energy within the stadium was palpable, a tangible force that pulsed through the crowd. Attendees were guided out of the indoor stadium to witness a spectacular fireworks display that illuminated the night sky with vibrant bursts. The breathtaking sight left everyone in awe.

Sarawak, as the host State, once again showed the world that its spirit is as vibrant and diverse as its people and that the identity of Sarawak exudes pride, celebrates diversity, and kindles unity in every heart.

The Sukma Sarawak XXI 2024, is the third Sukma with Sarawak being the host, first hosting on the year in 1990 and later in 2016. This year’s Sukma featured 37 sports, comprising of 488 events and involved 236 events for men, 271 events for women, and 35 mixed events, bringing together over 12,000 athletes and officials. — DayakDaily

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