BY JAMES WONG AND LEE SHAW WEI
KUCHING: More multiracial tournaments and activities should be organised within Sarawak to promote unity, harmony and patriotism among our society in the future.
Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap Yau Sin said that sports can serve as a significant platform to create a harmonious and united society.
“As we all know, sports are part of our agenda to promote patriotism and unity among our society.
“For decades, sports have taught us the meaning of unity, cooperation, and instilled a sense of love for Sarawak and our country.
“Sports have bound us together with values of love and compassion and sports have brought us together across ethnic and religious lines,” he said.
He stated Sarawak is unique so we must do our parts, including organising events or competitions that emphasise harmony and unity, to preserve the uniqueness of our Sarawak, where people from all walks of life, regardless of race, religion and ethnicity, can come together.
He said this during his speech while officiating the opening ceremony of the inaugural Unity Cup Table Tennis Open Teams Championship (Kejohanan Ping Pong Terbuka Berpasukan Piala Perpaduan) that is being held here at Kuching Youth and Sports Complex Hall today.
He reminded the participants that the tournament is not only about winning but it is also about competing in healthier activities while building unity among the people.
The tournament was organised by the Darul Barakah Table Tennis Club alongside STAF UNIMAS Table Tennis Club, with 42 teams from different regions of Sarawak participating to have the honour to be claimed as the first-ever champion of its history.
Yap was also the main sponsor of the tournament, in which he contributed RM6,250 in December 2022 to organise this tournament.
The tournament will be held over the weekend from March 4 to 5 (Saturday and Sunday) with the champion set to take home RM1,000 along with medals and the trophy.
