Youth told to preserve traditional sports

BY NUR FARIHAN RAZALI

MUKAH: Traditional sports should continue to be preserved so that they do not become extinct with the passage of time.

Balingian assemblyman Abdul Yakub Arbi said that the youth and the community are urged to preserve and continue this game.

“The uniqueness of the sport should not become extinct by the wave of modernity. We need to restore the glory of traditional sports and games,” he said.

He said this at the Closing Ceremony of the Sarawak Traditional Sports Carnival 2023 at Pehin Setia Raja Square, here, yesterday.

Among the competitions that were contested during this carnival held from Nov 11 to 12 were tug-of-war, pinching, archery, sali lukut racing, top spinning and “sepak raga bulatan”.

Hence, he was confident that this traditional game would continue to be preserved with the participation of the youth who get involved in the events provided.

“This kind of involvement is very necessary in helping the state government to develop traditional sports.

“This is because the state government is very encouraging and always supports activities like these,” he explained.

He added that traditional sports not only meet the preference and sporting culture of the people in the state, but that they can be promoted to the national and international levels one day.

At the event he presented prizes, medals, trophies and hampers to all the winners of the competition.

Also present were Deputy Resident Shafrie Saili and acting District Officer Mukah Nolin Gendang.

Yakub receives a souvenir from the organisers as a memento.