Hajiji: Sabah have a fighting chance to achieve gold target

KOTA KINABALU (Aug 1): Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor urged Sabah’s 713-strong contingent competing in the 21st edition of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak to do their best to achieve the target of 40 golds.

Based on Sabah’s performance in the 20th Sukma in Kuala Lumpur two years ago, the state athletes brought home 30 golds, 30 silvers and 38 bronzes to finish sixth out of 15 contingents, including Brunei Darussalam.

The Chief Minister is confident Sabah will be able to achieve the long-time gold target in this year’s Sukma which will take place from August 17-24.

The Chief Minister said the best incentive awaits the top performing athletes in Sarawak Sukma.

“To all 713 athletes representing Sabah in this biennial national sports meet, compete with all your might and a high sporting spirit to bring honour to Sabah,” he said when handing over the State flag to the Sabah contingent at the Sabah International Convention Centre here on Thursday.

Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Sabah Works Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin, assistant minister Datuk Fairuz Renddan and permanent secretary-cum-chef de mission Datuk Mansur Asun and Sabah Sports Council director Mohd Asneh Mohd Noor were among those present.

“I have full trust in our athletes’ capability, and all of you will bring success to set a benchmark for all sporting events in the state.

“Get the best record so you can go on to represent Malaysia at higher-level tournaments including at the world championship meets or the Olympics,” Hajiji added in a statement.

The Chief Minister advised the athletes to maintain the highest degree of discipline, which is the most crucial element when competing in any competition.

“No matter how great the athletes is, they will end up nowhere without discipline. I am sure the sports associations and coaches have imparted this to all athletes … we do not want indiscipline to bring Sabah’s name into bad repute,” he said.

With around two weeks to go before Sukma, Hajiji said athletes must take good care of their health and be ready for the games.

“I am sure the Sabah contingent is mentally and physically prepared. Therefore, I hope our athletes will take care of their daily diet including taking prescribed supplements,” he added.

Towards this end, Hajiji also wants the team officials to look after the safety and welfare of the athletes during their stay in Sarawak.

Sabah will take part in 35 out of the 37 sports contested in the Sarawak Sukma.

They are aquatic (swimming and diving), weightlifting, badminton, cycling, netball, basketball, football (including futsal), volleyball (including beach volleyball), lawnbowl, E-sports, gymnastics (artistic and rhythmic), golf, hockey, judo, karate, cricket, fencing, archery, shooting, muaythai, athletics, sailing, pencak silat, petanque, table tennis, rugby, sepak takraw, silambam, squash, softball, taekwondo, tennis, tenpin bowling, boxing and wushu.