By Doreen Ling
KUCHING, Sept 30: The Sarawak contingent is looking to bag eight gold medals in the 22nd edition of the Malaysian Deaf Games (SOPMA) 2025 to be held here from Oct 2-7.
According to Minister of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, among the events targeted for gold, ten-pin bowling stands out.
“We have always been strong in ten-pin bowling, so much so that athletes from Sarawak were chosen by SOPMA Malaysia to represent the country at the Deaflympics.
“Other than ten-pin bowling, we are also targeting gold medals from athletics, orienteering, and badminton,” she said during a doorstep interview following the flag handover ceremony to the Sarawak contingent in conjunction with SOPMA 2025 today.
Earlier in her speech during the ceremony, Fatimah named Sarawak Deaf Sports Association’s (SSDeaf) Siw Sing Hie, Siong Mui Hong, and Agan Ballang Kapong as the three athletes selected to represent Malaysia in ten-pin bowling at the 25th Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo, Japan, from November 15-26.
“Siw Sing Hie and Siong Mui Hong had previously won gold medals at the Deaflympics in Brazil (2022) and the 10th Asia Pacific Deaf Games (2024), bringing pride to Sarawak and Malaysia,” she said.
She also expressed confidence that the Sarawak contingent could achieve success in the upcoming SOPMA, encouraging them to never fear challenges.
“Remember, each time you step into the arena, you carry not only your own name, but also the pride of Sarawak. The flag we hand over today is a symbol of trust, fighting spirit, and pride of all Sarawakians.
“To all athletes, I urge you to compete with confidence, high sportsmanship, and never give up. Let SOPMA XXII be the stage to showcase your excellence and prove that Sarawak’s deaf athletes are true champions.
“Let us all—athletes, officials, and supporters—maintain discipline, respect opponents, and uphold the spirit of sportsmanship throughout the games,” she said.
Sarawak Deputy Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development Minister Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam was also present at the event.
To be held across the Kuching and Samarahan divisions, SOPMA 2025 will feature five sports: athletics, badminton, futsal, ten-pin bowling, and orienteering.
With 47 athletes and 26 officers, the Sarawak contingent adds 73 participants to the overall total of 777, which includes 610 athletes and 167 officers.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is expected to attend the opening ceremony of the event on Oct 2 at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here.
Sarawak’s performance in past SOPMA games has been consistent, winning three gold and three silver 2012 in Kuala Lumpur.
In 2014 in Melaka, Sarawak won two gold, seven silver, and two bronze, followed by six gold, seven silver, and seven bronze in the 2016 edition of the games in Kuching, placing third overall.
For the 2018 edition in Perak, Sarawak placed third again with six gold, six silver, and two bronze; and in 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak managed to secure second place with six gold, two silver, and six bronze. — DayakDaily
