Sarawak sets Sukma standard with dedicated psychologists for every sport

KUCHING: The intensity and emotions that athletes face often go beyond what meets the eye, with mental health frequently being overlooked.

However, Sarawak is setting a new standard at the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) by making mental health a priority, ensuring every sport has its own dedicated psychologist.

This groundbreaking move makes Sarawak the only state in Sukma to offer this level of psychological support, underscoring the importance of mental wellbeing in sports.

Kamurudin Ahmed Junaidi, a psychologist assigned to tenpin bowling and tennis, shared his excitement about being part of this initiative.

“I’m a psychologist under the Ministry of Health, working in the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH), but I was appointed to the Sarawak Sports Corporation where they attached me to this year’s Sukma under Sarawak’s tenpin bowling and tennis teams.

“This experience has been very nice because a lot of athletes need an avenue to release their stress or emotions, when they lose we have to comfort them, even if they win we should encourage them,” he said.

He further explained his role and the importance of the mental wellbeing of sportsmen and sportswomen.

“What I do is that I motivate them and help them release any stresses one-on-one, because 80 per cent of our mind affects our physical body,” he explained.

He recounted how even Olympians have overcome anxiety attacks to claim gold after receiving psychological counselling.

“The mental affects the physical, so if we’re weak psychologically, we will be weak physically as well.

“For example, there was an athlete in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 who had an anxiety attack during the finals, causing the athlete to stop competing, but after going through proper counseling and talking with a psychologist the athlete came back and won a gold,” he said.

Kamurudin highlighted the crucial impact for psychologists in the field of sports.

“I’m thankful that Sarawak took this up and is also the only state, that really concentrates on sports psychologists and the mental wellbeing of our athletes so I hope this year’s Sarawak team is equip and has the mental support so they can excel in the game that we can win a gold in every game,” he said.

Sarawak’s commitment to mental health is already paying off, as he shared that the state’s lawn bowls team, guided by psychologist Chong from the Sarawak Sports Corporation, has been performing exceptionally well.

“Under lawn bowl, we have Chong from the Sarawak Sports Corporation as the team’s dedicated psychologist, that’s why I believe they’re doing well,” he praised.

At the moment, Sarawak has secured five medals with one gold and silver, and three bronze, coming in second from the Federal Territories who have secured eight medals—proving that a strong mind leads to strong results.

Kamurudin is hopeful that Sarawak’s holistic approach will empower its athletes to achieve even greater heights.

“I hope the Sarawak team will lead better mentally and spiritually, all the best! Agi idup, agi ngelaban!” he encouraged.