Sukma key to producing Olympic athletes, says Hannah

Hannah Yeoh at the opening of the Sukma games in Kuching today by Sarawak’s governor, Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh has stressed the importance of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in preparing the country’s athletes for the Olympics.

Yeoh, who was speaking at the Sukma opening ceremony at Sarawak Stadium in Kuching tonight, said that it takes years of hard work to produce an athlete capable of competing at the Olympics.

Stressing the importance of the spirit of sportsmanship both during and after competition, Yeoh also said that the athletes competing in Sukma have a role to play in ensuring a sports ecosystem that prioritises unity and encourages healthy and non-toxic competition.

“The talent that we groom at the district level and state level, like Sukma… these are the talented athletes who are the country’s hopes at international sports events,” she said, Bernama reported.

“Our athletes here are our future Olympians. Perhaps among us today are athletes who will feature at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

“That’s the importance of a platform like Sukma, which needs to be given the highest importance.”

Malaysia obtained two bronze medals from badminton at the recent Paris Olympics, where a contingent of 26 athletes competed in 11 sports.

Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg said Sukma fosters the spirit of patriotism through the participation of various states and ethnicities on a single platform, and was a platform to pool young talent, instil the spirit of sportsmanship, and strengthen unity among Malaysians.

A total of 488 events in 37 sports will be contested at this year’s edition of Sukma, which is being held in Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri.