By Karen Bong and Chris Bishop
KUCHING, Sept 13: Take the “agi idup agi ngelaban, sik mok kalah” (as long as you’re alive, you keep on fighting; never give up) spirit to shake up Kuala Lumpur and bring glory to Sarawak, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg tells young Sarawak athletes heading to compete in the 20th Malaysia Games (Sukma XX).
He reminded the athletes that they are the best and chosen ones to represent Bumi Kenyalang in the upcoming Sukma taking place from Sept 16 to 24.
“You are the sports heros and heroines so there must be a warrior’s spirit in you.
“Our fight in Sukma is to bring big success home and therefore, we must have the undefeatable and never-give-up spirit. When you enter the sports arena, take care of Sarawak’s good name while fighting your best to bring victory to Sarawak,” he said during the official handing over of the State flag to the Sarawak Sukma XX MSN 2022 Contingent at a hotel here today.
Abang Johari expressed his belief that the young athletes, who he described as the stars of Sarawak, will shake up Sukma like how Dato Pandelela Rinong Pamg shook the world in diving, Bonnie Bunyau Gustin in powerlifting and Watson Nyambek aka the Flying Dayak in sprint racing.
To further boost their spirit, he reminded the athletes of a well known poem recited by the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem who said: “Nyiur gading puncak mahligai, sayang ketupat berisi inti; Hancur daging tulang berkecai, belum dapat belum berhenti.”
“Carry with you the sporting spirit of ‘agi idup agi ngelaban, sik mok kalah’ because the opponents are just like us as well.
“When you win, you are the pride of Sarawak. I am here with you today bringing along my prayers and wishes like the rest of Sarawakians so that you can bring the shiny medals back home,” he added.
Abang Johari also congratulated the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development under the leadership of Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah for their grit in preparing Sarawak for Sukma over the past four years even in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic to deliver high performance in sports.
“Travel safely, take good care of yourself and each other, fight your best and bring the glory back home!” he exhorted the athletes.
The event witnessed Abang Johari handing over the State flag to Deputy Minister of Sport and Youth Development Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu who is the chef-de-mission for the Sarawak Sukma contingent.
For the record, a total of 564 athletes will represent Sarawak to compete in 31 sporting events in this year’s Sukma comprising a total of 426 matches to be held in five different localities starting Sept 16 to 24 in Kuala Lumpur.
They will be accompanied by 21 assistant chefs-de-mission, 41 team managers and 107 sports officials. — DayakDaily
