Rentap: Sarawak athletes prove they can compete against anyone

KUCHING (Aug 23): Sarawak athletes have proven they are able to challenge any competitor, including a Southeast Asian (SEA) Games medallist, said Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu.

The Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development noted the close contest between Sarawak diver Dayang Nursharzyra Awang Nasaruddin who scored 228.25, and Federal Territories’ Yiat Qing Lee who achieved 231.20, highlighted the competitive edge of the state’s athletes.

“We lost just by a few points to a diver from the Federal Territories, who is a SEA Games medallist.

“This proves that our training has advanced and that our athletes can compete with any competitor,” he said after presenting the medals for the women’s diving three-metre springboard individual event today.

Yiat clinched the gold, with Dayang Nursharzyra taking silver and Nur Eilisha Rania Muhammad Abrar Raj, also from Sarawak, securing bronze.

Moreover, Rentap acknowledged the intense competition from other contingents, saying that success on the event day would also often involve some luck.

Present with him was Deputy Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Development Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam.