KAPIT: Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Native Laws and Customs) Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat has refuted claims that inadequate sports facilities in Kapit led to its exclusion as a venue for the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA).
He said that the venue selection has been discussed thoroughly by the committee with the aim to ensure that this SUKMA will be the best ever organised.
“We (in Kapit) are not being left out although we were not selected among the nine venues for SUKMA, but Sarawak (as SUKMA organiser) wants to include all divisions (in the state).
“We have our athletes from Kapit joining the team and although we are in a rural area, our residents show full support for SUKMA,” he added.
He said this when met by reporters after the launching of the Baton Run programme for the 21st SUKMA at the Kapit Civic Centre today (19 May).
The Bukit Goram assemblyman also said the upgrading of Kapit Indoor Stadium had been approved during the last DUN sitting, though he did not disclose the project’s cost.
He expressed hope that Kapit residents will fully support the upcoming SUKMA, which is expected to be the largest in history, involving 37 sports and 484 events.
“We expect more than 12,000 athletes and officials to participate in SUKMA, while more than 2,000 athletes and officials will participate in Para SUKMA,” he said.
Also present were Deputy State Secretary (Operations) Datuk Hii Chang Kee who is also chief executive officer (CEO) for SUKMA and Para SUKMA Sarawak 2024; Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development Ministry (MYSED) permanent secretary Morshidi Fredrick and Kapit Resident Galong Luang.
