By Karen Bong and Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 18: The roar of “Ooo Haa” reverberated through Sarawak Stadium as a 32,000-strong crowd unleashed a wave of sound with force, purpose, and pride at the opening ceremony of the 21st Malaysian Games (Sukma) 2024.
The sight and sound of this celebration were transcendent, tugging at every heartstring and exploding with unmatched pride.
Passionate attendees packed every corner of the stadium, making their presence felt with the iconic “Ooo Haa” as they greeted and welcomed the 15 contingents, including Brunei, comprising 10,481 participants with a thunderous Sarawak-style roar.
As the crowd eagerly awaited the arrival of dignitaries, a spontaneous moment of unity unfolded. Thousands of voices joined together in an impromptu rendition of the GB13 chant, “Satukan Hatimu”, accompanied only by the rhythmic beat of drums, setting the tone for an evening of unbridled spirit and solidarity.
The arrival of Sarawak Governor Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Malaysia Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and other dignitaries was marked by a vibrant lion dance performance as the kompang beat resonated through the stadium, and the crowd sang a traditional Sarawak song, warmly welcoming the esteemed leaders.
The stadium’s roofing, bathed in a kaleidoscope of colours, mirrored the diversity on the stage below.
The night sky soon came alive with dazzling laser beams, casting the colours of the Sarawak and Malaysian flags across the stadium. The opening performance was a breathtaking display of martial arts, with 1,800 performers showcasing silat, wushu, and other traditional disciplines, captivating the audience with their skill and precision.
A massive hip-hop dance number then took over the field, with thousands of performers moving in perfect synchrony, creating a visual feast for the spectators.
The flags and adorable mascots of the 15 states were proudly flown as the contingents marched past, beginning with Johor and ending with host Sarawak. The crowd erupted with cheers and applause, each contingent receiving a hero’s welcome as they paraded through the stadium.
The evening’s highlights continued with a stunning drone performance and light show that spelled out “Sukma XXI Sarawak 2024,” followed by the Sarawak flag, alongside the themes “Semangat Perpaduan Membara”, and concluded with “I ❤ MY” illuminating the sky—a powerful symbol of unity and patriotism.
The patriotic fervor reached its peak when Faizal Tahir took to the stage, his song ‘Gemuruh Jiwa’ igniting a sense of national pride as attendees illuminated the stadium with their phone lights.
The lighting of the Sukma torch, led by a drone Hornbill bird circling the stadium, was a much-antcipated act. The torch was lit by Sarawak’s diving queen, Dato Pandelela Rinong Pamg, accompanied by boxer Daeloniel McDelon Bong, better known as Kilat Boy, alongside iconic sportsmen and sportswomen such as sprinter Watson Nyabek and diver Bertrand Rhodict Lises.
The energy in the stadium became almost overwhelming as the ceremony reached its climax. The torch’s lighting set off a spectacular display of fireworks that painted the night sky in vibrant colours, leaving every person in attendance entranced and filled with a deep sense of pride.
The fireworks were more than just a visual finale—they were a celebration of the unity ignited in every heart that night. Each burst of colour echoed the pride felt by every Malaysian in the stadium, transcending age, ethnicity, and background.
This unforgettable night in the Land of the Hornbill will be remembered not only as the opening of Sukma 2024 but as a celebration of unity, culture, and the indomitable Malaysian spirit—of a people who, despite their differences, stand together in unity through sports.
Sarawak, as the host State, once again showed the world that its spirit is as vibrant and diverse as its people and that the identity of Sarawak exudes pride, celebrates diversity, and kindles unity in every heart.
Krishnen Viren, 73, from Kuching, remarked that he has attended Sukma Sarawak twice, and this year’s event surpassed the previous one.
“This year, my granddaughter is one of the athletes representing the Sarawak contingent to compete in the softball sport. The best thing about the Sukma 2024 opening ceremony is the amazing performances. We really enjoyed it. Watching the show made me feel proud to be a Sarawak citizen.
“But putting that aside, I hope Sarawak will be able to produce athletes who excel in sports and represent Malaysia at the international level.”
Meanwhile, Pahang contingent’s shooting coach Mohd Nurrahimin Abd Halim, 31, described the opening ceremony as good, leaving behind praises for the entertaining performances.
He, who was among those in the Pahang contingent during the parade of contingents, stated that he has participated in several Sukma events, but this year’s event could not top his list as there was some disorganisation in the arrangements of the event.
“Despite all that, when we marched into the field during the parade, our spirits went up high as we heard the cheers from the spectators,” he said.
Business manager Habsah Kamel, 39, stated that she came to watch the Sukma 2024 opening ceremony with her husband and child at the last minute.
“We were watching the Sukma 2024 opening ceremony live on our television screen back at home before we decided to come and enjoy the firework performance.” — DayakDaily
