SIBU, Oct 28: Sarawak has set its sights on becoming the overall champion in Sukma 2024, which it will be hosting.
Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneurship Development Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, expressed this aspiration and emphasised the need for support from all quarters.
“We aspire to be champions. It is a matter of pride for us, and it is Sarawak’s pride, but we require the support from all quarters.
“Not only from athletes and their families, but from every Sarawakian. We want the entire population to stand behind the Sarawak team,” he told reporters after the opening of Sambutan Hari Sukan Negara Peringkat Negeri at Dataran Tun Tunku Bujang,.
The State team for Sukma will be finalised in January next year after the 3rd Sarawak Games (Suksar), and approximately 800 athletes are expected to represent the State at Sukma.
Gerrald also expressed hope that the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sport, under its minister Hannah Yeoh, would allocate a larger budget to Sarawak for organising Sukma.
“SUKMA 2024 will be held from Aug 17 to 24, with events taking place in eight divisions, including Kuching, Sri Aman, Samarahan, Betong, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu, and Miri.
“Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, had previously stated that the cost of organising SUKMA is expected to surpass RM100 million.”
The event’s opening was attended by various officials, including Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government, Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, Sibu MP Oscar Ling, Deputy Speaker of Dewan Rakyat cum Lanang MP Alice Lau, Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek and others. — DayakDaily
