Sukma XXI: Minister highlights S’wak’s strong start; eyes more gold medals, overall championship

Abdul Karim (front row standing, fifth left) in a group photo with other officials and the Sarawak tennis team following the opening ceremony at the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) tennis centre in Kuching on Aug 16, 2024.

By Ashley Sim

KUCHING, Aug 16: Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) has praised the State’s outstanding performance in Sukma XXI Sarawak 2024, which includes a third-place medal standing in overall achievement as of today.

Abdul Karim, who is also the Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP), expressed optimism for the performance of Sarawak’s athletes, stating that they have shown commendable skills in various sports.

“So far so good. We have sports like wushu, cycling, and tenpin bowling going on, and those who make it to the finals have brought us medals.

“I know it’s only been two days of competition, but we’re currently ranked third in the medal standings, and I’m confident we’ll be able to win more gold medals in other sports,” he told reporters at a press conference after officiating at the opening of the Sukma XXI Sarawak tennis competition, which took place today at the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) tennis centre here.

The minister also emphasised Sarawak’s long-standing goal of becoming the overall champion.

“I’ve said all along that we want to be the overall champions. We’ve been waiting a long time. The last time we were overall champions was 30 years ago, in 1994. And this year, God willing, we will be the overall champions,” he added.

Additionally, Abdul Karim highlighted the significance of tennis in this year’s games.

“Tennis is always special and symbolic,” he remarked, emphasising that the sport’s commencement is distinct from others.

He went on to say that the tennis courts have undergone significant upgrades for this event, ensuring that athletes compete in top-notch facilities.

He also expressed confidence that competitors will deliver their best performances, embodying the spirit of sportsmanship.

“We hope that our athletes will deliver, and in tennis, I know that there are a lot of players in the development stage because the good ones who have represented us in the previous Sukma are no longer eligible because they have passed the age of eligibility.

“Today, we have new athletes being developed for this Sukma and future Sukma competitions,” he said.

Abdul Karim further stated that Sarawak has spent a significant amount of money to develop the State’s athletes so that they can compete locally and internationally, increasing their exposure for Sukma.

Also present at the event were Sarawak Deputy Minister for Youth, Sport, and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) and Sarawak Sukma Contingent chef de mission, Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu; Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching Xing Weiping; Sarawak Deputy Minister for Transport (MOTS) and Sarawak Sukma Contingent assistant chef de mission for tennis, Dato Henry Harry Jinep; Sarawak Sports Corporation chief executive officer (CEO) Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan; Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia president Mirzan Mahathir; and SLTA president Datuk Patrick Liew Chin Joon. — DayakDaily