By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, July 16: The Malaysian Games (Sukma) Supreme Council will meet this Thursday (July 18) to deliberate on the fate of Sepak Takraw women’s doubles event which is at risk of being dropped due to low participation.
Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the event has received only five participating teams, namely Penang, Perak, Selangor, Sabah and Sarawak.
This, he said, does not meet the minimum participation requirement of six states for an event to be competed in Sukma.
“However, on July 18, we will conduct a meeting at the national level to determine whether the event will be dropped or proceed with five states,” he said during a press conference held at Sheraton Kuching Hotel here today.
He also said if the event is dropped, the total number of sports events in Sukma will stand at 487.
Elaborating further, Abdul Karim said an appeal will be made at the Thursday meeting to let the Sepak Takraw women’s doubles event to proceed with five participating states.
“I was made to understand that some states have already bought (flight tickets) and their athletes have carried out preparation for the event.
“It will be very frustrating to the athletes themselves. It will be a pity – they have been training for months,” he added.
Also present during the press conference were Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (Youth & Sports) Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu; Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (Entrepreneur Development) Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat; Deputy Minister of Women and Early Childhood Development, Datuk Rosey Yunus; Deputy Minister of Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam; Deputy State Secretary (Operation) Datu Hii Chang Kee who is also the chief executive officer of Sukma and Para Sukma XXI Sarawak 2024; Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) secretary-general Dr. Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu; and National Sports Council (MSN) director-general Abdul Rashid Yaakub. — DayakDaily
