By Ashley Sim and Karen Bong
KUCHING, Feb 9: Sarawak is willing to be the host for the next Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) Games in 2024 in the spirit of Malaysia.
However, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg noted that more time is needed for planning because numerous sports facilities must be upgraded and constructed in order to host the games.
“If the Federal government requests that Sarawak host Sukma in 2024, we will agree to do so.
“However, Sarawak will need time to prepare because many sports facilities will need to be upgraded or built in order to host the games,” Abang Johari said today at a ceremony to present incentives to athletes for their achievements in various sports and competitions held at a hotel here.
He went on to say that the national sports body has stated that hosting Sukma is expensive, and that only Kuala Lumpur currently has the ability and facilities.
Nevertheless, Abang Johari believes that Kuala Lumpur, Sabah, and Sarawak should take turns hosting Sukma in the spirit of Malaysia.
“We are willing to host the next Sukma because I want to bring sports in Sarawak to an international level,” he added.
Sukma Games XX 2022 in Kuala Lumpur, SEA Games 2021 in Hanoi, Vietnam, Para Asean Games 2022 in Solo, Indonesia, and Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, England are among the events that the Sarawakian athletes participated in.
Meanwhile, Sarawak finished fourth overall in the Sukma Games XX 2022, with 32 gold medals, 42 silver medals, and 52 bronze medals.
Additionally, Sarawak won four gold medals, 11 silver medals, and 15 bronze medals at the SEA Games 2021, one gold medal and three silver medals at the Commonwealth Games 2022, and 11 gold medals, three silver medals, and two bronze medals at the Para Asean Games 2022.
A total of RM 510,250 was distributed to athletes of Sukma Games XX 2022; RM68,000 was distributed to athletes of SEA Games 2021; RM23,000 was distributed to athletes of Commonwealth Games 2022 and RM109,000 was distributed to athletes of Para Asean Games 2022.
Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, and Minister of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah were among those present. — DayakDaily
