By Yee Mei
KUCHING, Sept 2: Sukma 2024 chief executive officer (CEO) Datu Hii Chang Kee quipped he is thankful to Kedah for beating the Federal Territories in the latter’s last gold medal match, allowing Sarawak to reclaim the title of overall champion of the recently concluded national sporting event.
In an exclusive interview with DayakDaily today, Hii spoke on the tense last few moments on the last day of Sukma 2024 as Sarawak and the Federal Territories were chasing each other closely in the race to see who would eventually be able to call themselves ‘champion’.
“Our last (gold) medal was (artistic floor) gymnastics, which brought us up to 76 gold medals,” he said.
He said that the Federal Territories’ last gold medal match was against Kedah in table tennis, which would be the determining factor in whether the Federal Territories would become the overall champion.
“If they (Federal Territories) had won the gold medal, we would be at the same standing (as them), but (we would) lose.
“So, we thank Kedah—even the chef de mission—we practically thanked him. Otherwise, we would have been number two because although we have the same gold medals (as the Federal Territories), they have more silver.”
However, Hii also acknowledged the Federal Territories’ strength and performance in Sukma 2024, as it has been a close chase with Sarawak in the pursuit of glory.
In Sukma 2024, Sarawak won 76 golds, 55 silvers, and 70 bronzes—narrowly defeating the Federal Territories, who secured 75 golds, 65 silvers, and 73 bronzes. — DayakDaily
