Sukma: Sarawak has set 70 gold medals to emerge as overall champ, says Abd Karim

KUCHING (July 10): Host Sarawak, seeking to emerge as the overall champion for the fourth time, have set a target of winning at least 70 gold medals when hosting the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) from Aug 17 to 24.

Sarawak’s Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said based on feedback received during a briefing by the Assistant Chef-de-Missions (ACDM), he was optimistic that the Sarawak contingent has the capability to win the targetted medals.

“This is based on feedback received during a briefing about the performance of the contingent…the assessment report was done sport by sport together with the ACDMs and coaches.

“I believe we (Sarawak) can achieve the target, if we can win 70 gold medals, we may emerge as the overall champion…I hope no other state can surpass that target,” he told Bernama.

Abdul Karim who is also Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said this during a special interview with Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), here today.

The Bernama delegation was headed by Editor-in Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, deputy executive editor Elmi Rizal Elias and Bernama’s Sarawak bureau chief Hamdan Ismail.

Earlier, State Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu who is also the Chef-de-Mission (CDM) had said Sarawak are not only hosting the games but created an unprecedented history by appointing 40 ACDs, 76 managers and 138 coaches.

The Sukma, incepted in 1986, was hosted by Sarawak in 1990 and 2016 and emerged as overall champions in three consecutive editions – 1990, 1992 and 1994.

The coming Sukma will see 12,619 athletes and officials participating in 37 sports involving venues in nine divisions namely Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri from Aug 17 to 24.

The 21st edition of the Games will also be the largest ever with 488 events hosted, 236 events for men, 217 events for women while 35 others are mixed participation events. – Bernama