SUMMA 2026: Behind the camera, Sarawak's heart remains

What is it?The great song of Sarawak, my mother Pertiwiku, flourishing in the land of Selangor, I also sing it. I sing along with others proudly. And then my tears came out.

I was still carrying work equipment at the time. I came here as a journalist, not as a fan sitting in the audience seat but for a while, I was just a Sarawak boy listening to his country's songs played away from Kenyalang Earth.

My mother Pertiwiku grows up, Sarawak clean gold Pollo Air Stream live on tvsarawak.my or on the TVS Inspire app, MYTV Anywhere, Unifi TV and Astro GO now! Download it on the App Store and Play Store now! TVS122 TVSNews TVSarawak SUKMAdiTVS SUKMA2026 SUKMASelangor2026

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It was one of the most memorable moments in all of making Selangor Sports coverage (SUKMA) 2026. I came with the same routine as any other assignment. Check the schedule. Find the location. The chase of athletes. Get a decision. I'll see you later. Take a picture of it. Write the news. Send it to me. Then move again.

School, however, is not just another assignment. A total of 37 sports are held in different locations and the competition schedule is often overlapping. I only have one body to be in a different venue.

So, for almost two weeks in Selangor, I learned to work with the time available but in that rush, there was a certain moment that made me stop briefly as a journalist and act on my instincts as a human being.

I remember Mohd Azznil Jeli. While doing the karate cover, I saw myself Azznil fall after receiving a kick before being kicked out of the ring.

The Sarawak karate athlete is in a coma, suffering a concussion.#TVS122 #TVSNews #TVSarawak #SUKMAdiTVs #SUKMA2026 #SUKMASelangor2026

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At the time, the first thing I thought about wasn't the headline. I want to know how he is. I rushed for improvements from the medical staff, volunteers, judges and team managers. One by one I asked.

"How is Azznil?"

"What's going on?"

"Can he continue the contest?"

My doctor directed me to rest for three weeks - Azznil Stream live on tvsarawak.my or on the TVS Inspire app, MYTV Anywhere, Unifi TV and Astro GO now! Download it on the App Store and Play Store now!#TVS122 #TVSNews #TVSarawak#SUKMAdiTVs #SUKMA2026 #SUKMASelangor2026

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Then came the reassuring news. His condition is under control. It's even more exciting when I see Azznil myself back on the podium to receive a bronze medal. A few moments earlier he was kicked out of the ring.

Then he stood up to receive the medal. I'm recording that second. This time, my phone isn't just recording a medal winner. It captures an athlete who has just gone through something far more difficult than losing or winning.

Then came the women's volleyball final.

Sarawak women's volleyball athlete performing in the final match against Selangor. Photo by Jazni Hanif (TVS)

I've done coverage of various sporting events but the atmosphere in the hall that day was completely different. It's like a football final. Sarawak supporters are not stopping cheering.

I was in their area but couldn't join the cheers. I still have work to do. My eyes are looking for games. My hand is holding the phone. I'm waiting for the right moment.

When Sarawak finally won, everything was broken.

Athletes are crying in the ring.

Someone's hugging you.

There's someone sitting there.

Some can only cry after all the pressure throughout the tournament is released.

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I keep recording. To me, that's one of the most valuable moments in this whole assignment. Not because Sarawak won but because I was able to capture the true face of a victory.

A face that wasn't made up. Faces that cannot be repeated and faces that may not be fully understood by those who only read the results on paper.

It's the same thing when Sarawak athletes win gold and then speak Sarawak when interviewed. I don't have to ask myself why I feel proud. Listening to your own language amidst a sea of athletes from across the country gives you an indescribable feeling. It was like for a moment, I wasn't far from home.

I also received four Sarawak stripes from the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS). I wear it on duty. It doesn't mean much to others, maybe, but for me, the shirt was another sign that even though I came with a media card and work equipment, I still carried the same identity as those in the arena.

I was with the cameraman, Jazni Haniff, making live coverage of the women's beach volleyball medal match between Sarawak and Silver. TVS photos

There was a time when I sat next to Sarawak supporters. I saw them cheering. I saw them wake up when Sarawak got eyes. I see them disappointed when the game doesn't go our way. I can't participate in everything but I am there.

Look at that.

It's on.

I'll write it down.

And bring that story home.

THE school ended on August 24. Selangor emerged as the overall champion with 101 gold, 73 silver and 71 bronze medals totalling 245 medals.

Sarawak contingent led by Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu while marching at the Selangor School Opening Meeting 2026. Photo by Aizad Aidid (TVS)

Sarawak finished in fourth place with 41 gold, 40 silver and 62 bronze medals, totalling 143 medals. Far from the 75-goal goal and a dream to emerge as overall champion.

That number does exist. It needs to be reported. But numbers can never tell you everything.

I was here when the Sarawak athletes wrapped up.

Sarawak Karate athletes and coaches hugged after the match. Photo by Jazni Hanif (TVS)

I saw them come down after months, even years of preparation.

I saw someone win. I saw someone lose. I saw some crying because the gold medal was in their hands.

I also saw some crying because the gold of their dreams was gone.

For me, everything has news value because my job is not to keep Sarawak winning.

Sarawak women's water polo athletes hugged after successfully defeating Selangor and embracing the gold medal. Photo by Jazni Hanif (TVS)

My job is to make sure their struggle doesn't just go away.

I need to stay objective. I have to write based on what happened. I have to report the results even if it's not what we expected.

But being objective doesn't mean I have to be insensitive.

I can write about defeats and at the same time feel proud of my athletic efforts.

I can report the number of medals and at the same time understand that one bronze medal could carry a very big meaning to an athlete.

I could be on the sidelines with a camera in my hand and still hope Sarawak wins.

Maybe that's the seldom-seen part of this job.

People read the news.

They're looking at pictures.

They're watching the video.

Mia Ghazali won 34-33, Sarawak's gold#TVS122 #TVSNews #TVSarawak #SUKMAdiTVs #SUKMA2026 #SUKMASelangor2026

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THE school is over but when I look back at the pictures and videos that I had taken all my time in Selangor, I don't remember the golden 41 first. I remember Sarawak's supporters shaking the council. I remember the athlete speaking our language after winning gold and I remember my own voice singing to my mother-in-law.

Maybe that's what I learned from the school this time. We can come to work but we never come without bringing ourselves.

I'm still a reporter. I still need to be objective but I also stayson of SarawakAnd while I was in Selangor, I didn't just report what happened to Sarawak.

I'm with you.I feel it.- The TVs.