Sukma 2024: Better rewards await Terengganu contingent if overall champ

KUALA TERENGGANU (July 31): Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has said that the Terengganu contingent will receive better rewards if they emerge as overall champions in this year’s Malaysia Games (Sukma 2024).

However, Ahmad Samsuri would not disclose the reward amount at this time to allow athletes and management to make their final preparations calmly before the Games begin on Aug 17.

“In the past, I would announce the incentive amounts for overall champions and for athletes winning gold, silver and bronze medals.

“But this time, I want to do something a bit different. I will personally go to Sarawak to observe the athletes in action. I will assess their dedication, and if we become champions, insya-Allah, the rewards will be better than those given in previous Sukma,” he said during the Terengganu Sukma contingent flag handover ceremony here today.

Also present were the State Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisations Development Committee chairman, Hishamuddin Abdul Karim, and Terengganu Sports Council (MSNT) director, Ahmad Shahrizal Yahaya.

Detailing the state’s contingent for this year’s games, he said Terengganu is sending a total of 568 athletes, comprising 349 men and 219 women, to compete in 340 events at the nation’s largest sports competition.

He noted that of this total, only 30 per cent have previously competed at the Sukma level, while the remainder are newcomers whom he believes have the potential to contribute medals to the state.

“We expect that 31 out of the 36 sports we are participating in have the potential to win at least a bronze medal.

“Among the sports anticipated to bring in many gold medals and others are sailing, cycling and combat sports such as silat and judo,” he said.

Overall, Ahmad Samsuri said that Terengganu are targeting a total of 76 gold medals, 36 silver medals, and 340 bronze medals, with the aim of becoming the overall champions this time.

Although Terengganu will face strong competition from close rivals such as Sarawak and Johor, he remains confident that Terengganu still have a chance to win the championship, provided there is strong effort and determination.

“Terengganu have previously won the Sukma and we have consistently been in the top three positions of the championship.

“Besides Sarawak and Johor, other states that could challenge our position include Selangor and the Federal Territories. Our supporters cannot be present in large numbers to provide support, so athletes need to have a high level of determination and a strong desire to win,” he said. – Bernama