Home team hunting for glory

KUCHING: Sarawak is brimming with confidence ahead of the upcoming Malaysia Games (SUKMA) Sarawak, with the state aiming for an historic overall championship.

Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah rallied the Sarawakian contingent, urging them to strive for gold at the homegrown sporting event.

“We are fully prepared for this Sukma,” Abdul Karim declared during the Sarawak flag handover ceremony.

“We don’t want to be second best. We want to be the best host, the best team, and the overall champion.”

The minister highlighted the significance of the challenge, noting that Sarawak’s last Sukma victory was in 1994.

“Many of our current athletes weren’t even born then,” he pointed out.

Abdul Karim called on the contingent to embrace the opportunity to create history.

“I want to see Sarawak as the overall champion in 2024,” he said.

“There’s no room for second best. I expect gold medals across all sports.”

The Sarawak flag was handed over to the Sukma Sarawak Contingent head at Raia Hotel & Convention Centre today (Aug 3).

The event was graced by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his deputies, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

Also present were State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy State Secretary Datuk Hii Chang Kee, and Deputy Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, who is also the chef de mission of the Sarawak contingent.

SUKMA 2024 will feature 37 sports with a total of 488 events across nine divisions in the state.

Sarawak has previously hosted the biennial games in 1990 and 2016.