By Marlynda Meraw and Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Sept 29: Sarawak claims victory once again, emerging as the overall champion of the 2024 Para Malaysian Games (Para Sukma) 2024, extending its triumph after being crowned the overall champion of the Malaysian Games (Sukma) earlier on August 24.
The victory was cemented after Sarawak’s impressive haul of 82 gold, 52 silver, and 74 bronze medals, making Sarawak the clear champion, ahead of the runner-up and neighbouring State, Sabah, by 20 gold medals.
The Sarawak Indoor Stadium in Petra Jaya provided a fitting finale to the seven-day Para Malaysian Games (Para Sukma), which had been in full swing since September 22.
The opening act set a powerful tone, featuring 40 children, aged five to six, from SeDidik. Their sign language performance during the national anthem ‘Negaraku’ (My Country) and the state anthem ‘Ibu Pertiwiku’ (My Motherland) symbolised the spirit of inclusivity that defines the heart of Para Sukma.
Following this, performers dressed in white took to the stage, blending dance and spoken word as two poets recited ‘Andalah Sang Juara’ (You Are the Champion), a poem capturing the emotional journey of the Para Sukma athletes—the victories and defeats, the joy and frustration, and their unwavering determination to rise above adversities.
The event continued with a grand parade of the 15 contingents from across Malaysia, led by the Jalur Gemilang contingent from the Royal Malay Regiment, followed by Terengganu and ending with the host, Sarawak. Each team marched proudly past the VIP platform, waving their state flags and receiving enthusiastic cheers and a hero’s welcome from the stadium audience.
Excitement buzzed through the crowd as athletes and spectators alike anxiously waited for the reveal of the top male and female para-athletes during the award ceremony. The stadium fell silent, then erupted into cheerful applause as Loh Chi Hui from Terengganu was announced as the best female para-athlete following her spectacular performance in archery.
Similarly, the title of best male para-athlete went to Sabah’s Shahafiq Abdullah, whose exceptional achievements in swimming outshone all others. His unwavering determination and outstanding performance earned him the top male para-athlete honour.
Though neither of the best male and female para-athletes were from the host State, they were celebrated all the same, embodying the spirit of sports where everyone is a winner.
As the night progressed, in a symbolic moment, the Royal Malaysian Navy ceremoniously lowered the championship flag, which was then handed to Sarawak’s Minister of Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah. She entrusted it to Selangor’s Para Sukma Chef De Mission, Azura Sarbin, who is also the director of the Selangor Youth and Sports Department, officially passing the responsibility of hosting the 2026 Para Sukma to Selangor.
To mark the symbolic transition, attention turned to a cultural performance by Selangor featuring the Pettanun dance, which showcased the state’s rich heritage and offered a preview of what’s to come in 2026. The dancers, with their graceful movements, honoured Selangor’s traditions, seamlessly blending history and anticipation in a fitting tribute.
The performance served as a beautiful prelude to the future, a promise of the next chapter in the evolving story of Para Sukma.
A talented group of four singers took the stage, entertaining the audience with a remix of songs representing the identity of each state. The audience sang along with great enthusiasm during Sabah’s ‘Original Sabahan,’ and the performance of ‘Biar Bekikis Bulu Betis,’ a song so iconic in Sarawak that it has become the State’s unofficial anthem.
To wrap up the rich performances, students from SeDidik and the Sarawak Arts Council gathered together, from stage to floor, to deliver an energetic rendition of ‘Semangat Perpaduan Membara’ (Fiery Spirit of Unity), creating a spirited finale.
As the evening reached its crescendo, the VIPs and guests drifted outside, where the night sky became a canvas for a dazzling display of fireworks. Brilliant hues danced among the stars, painting the heavens with light and colour—a radiant symbol of hope and unity.
Each burst was a heartbeat in the sky, a tribute to the perseverance and spirit of the Para Sukma athletes. As the final spark shimmered and faded into the night, a wave of applause swept through the crowd, their hearts intertwined in a shared moment of triumph and togetherness, marking the graceful end of Para Sukma.
Attending the closing ceremony were Malaysia Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Para Sukma chief executive officer Datu Hii Chang Kee, and Para Sukma’s Chef de Mission Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam.
Para Sukma 2024 showcased ten sports across 328 events, bringing together 1,290 athletes. Sarawak, the long-standing champion, claimed 13 consecutive titles between 1994 and 2018, and with its current win, now boasts a remarkable total of 14 titles, a legacy that continues to resonate. — DayakDaily
