KUCHING: Approximately 100 attended a media appreciation night organised by MSN Sarawak and Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) on Wednesday.
Assistant Minister of Youth & Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Haji Hamzah, who attended the event, praised the good relationship between MSN Sarawak and SSC with the media fraternity in the state.
“It should not be viewed as rhetoric but it is a symbiosis which can bring a host of benefits and positive impacts towards the society in general.
“In fact, it has been well established for a very long time,” said Karim, who spoke during the event at Grand Margherita Hotel here during the event.
Karim added that it was heartening to know that the media have always given their fullest cooperation through their support in highlighting and publicising the various sporting events and activities that have been organised and held in the state over the years.
“They are always there when we need them the most and personally I will give them two thumbs up for giving us the much needed support in terms of publicity for the numerous sporting events organised and held locally,” he said.
The assistant minister said that Sarawak is no stranger when it comes to organising and hosting both national and international sporting events.
“Last year, the staging of the 18th Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) was considered by many of our peers as a huge success. “This is because after a span of 26 years, Sarawak is still capable of hosting Malaysia’s largest sporting event without a hitch.
“Literally we did not receive any major complaints or grievances from any of the participating state contingencies and we did not experience any technical glitch.
“The best part of it was that the publicity given towards SUKMA Sarawak was incredible and our media friends had really done a lot in covering all of the competitions as well as promoting them among the general public,” he said.
Karim added that there are still many more national and international sporting events which will be organised soon, among them the Sukan Sarawak (SUKSAR) 2017 at the end of the year.
“It is being held as a good avenue to give exposure to our home grown sports talents, especially in preparations for the next SUKMA.
“It is the next ‘big thing’ among our locals because potentially it can become the breeding ground for our future sports stars and champions.
“It can also become a good prelude to unearth raw talents among our local sports talents who will represent Sarawak in national and potentially at international level.
“The future of sports and games in Sarawak is bright and all of us have to work hard to make it happen,” he said.
