Johor never applied for canoeing to be competed in Sukma XXI, says S’wak CDM

SIBU (Aug 21): Johor has never sent in any application for canoeing to be competed in the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) during the Supreme Committee meeting, clarified Sarawak Deputy Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Minister Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu.

He said Johor was even asked to host Sukma this year, but they rejected.

“Indeed. I have never heard of them bringing the issues of canoeing into Sukma before… even during Sukma’s highest council meeting,” he told reporters at a press conference in Mukah today.

The Sarawak Sukma chef de mission (CDM) was commenting on netizens’ laments on social media, believed to be Johor supporters, questioning Sarawak for not listing canoeing in Sukma this time.

The sport, which was contested at the 2022 Sukma, gave the Johor contingent an advantage when they collected 23 gold medals.

Rentap also said there are sports events not contested because they did not meet the criteria.

“For example, diving has 12 events but only six are contested because there are other states that cannot send athletes,” he explained.

“According to the Sukma rules, if there are less than six states that are able to participate in a certain sport, then that category will be dropped.

“For me, this is not fair because even in South East Asia (SEA) Games, the participation of three countries is enough.

“So, the policy is quite cruel sometimes and very often, it is the athletes who are the victims,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sarawak State Sports Council director Awang Putra Yusrie explained that age factor may be the main reason why Johor did not request for canoeing to be included in this Sukma.

He said during the 2022 Sukma, the age limit for the athletes was raised from 21 years to 23 years after it was delayed for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“However, after 2022, it was highly likely that most of their athletes (who won gold medals) were overaged. Maybe that is why they do not focus on the sport this year.

“So this is not our fault. As host, we can choose what sport should be included for Sukma this time,” he said.

Awang Putra also said that canoeing is not included in the 28 Sukma core events while the rest of the sports event can be requested by the competing states.

Also present at the press conference were Tellian assemblyman Royston Valentine, Balingian assemblyman Yakub Arbi.