Sarawak eyeing history as Sukma host and champion

KUCHING (Aug 3): Sarawak is determined to win the overall crown in Sukma which has remained elusive for 30 years. It was in 1990 that the state last won that coveted title.

This was the key message from Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah to the Sukma-bound Sarawak contingent today.

“We do not want to be second best. We want to be the best host, the best team and to win the overall championship.

“The State government has high expectations for you to do well in this Sukma and our Premier (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) and his deputies, ministers and deputy ministers are all here today to show their strong support,” he told the contingent at the Sukma XXI Sarawak flag presentation ceremony at a local hotel today.

“We are prepared for this Sukma this time around. There is no such thing as the second best for us and what you all should be targeting is only the gold medal.

“That is what I want to see in each and every one of you. Whether you are competing in the pool, on the tracks, in the courts or in the halls, every athlete should go for gold and that is our expectation,” he added.

The minister appealed to the athletes “please don’t let us down.”

“Apart from that, we want to see the best organisation of the games and that is a big challenge for us to ensure that Sukma XXI Sarawak is run smoothly and successfully.”

He noted that organising the biggest Sukma – 488 events, 37 sports, 50 venues in nine divisions – will put “Sarawak in the history book.”