KUCHING: Sarawak is committed to taking on the responsibility of hosting the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA) and Para SUKMA XXI Sarawak 2024 to ensure the continuation of national sports excellence.
Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the state government’s decision to host the largest sports event in the country aims to produce athletes who can bring glory to the nation on the international stage.
“We have answered the call because we recognise the importance of continuing these sports to nurture athletes who will carry on the fight.
“From SUKMA, many will continue their journey to become national athletes,” he said.
He made these remarks during the SUKMA & Para SUKMA XXI Sarawak 2024 Baton Relay Programme for the Kuching Division held at Kuching Waterfront here today (June 23).
Abdul Karim also added that hosting SUKMA and Para SUKMA is crucial for uniting the people of the nation.
“This is the importance of sports in uniting the people. This helps to ignite the spirit of unity, the desire to participate in sports, and to make sports a way of life,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, said the Para Malaysia Games (Para SUKMA) XXI provides the best platform for Sarawak’s para athletes to showcase their abilities and compete against athletes from other states.
She stressed that athletes must focus and strive wholeheartedly to reclaim the championship in this edition of the games.
“Use this golden opportunity to showcase your talents beyond your limits. Display your prowess as high-performance athletes,” she reminded.
She also noted that a total of 1,528 athletes, including 788 officials and 75 contingent secretariat members, will participate in this edition of Para SUKMA.
The event will feature 10 sports involving 334 events in Kuching.
Regarding the Baton Relay Programme, it has traversed the 11 divisions of the state since April 27. Approximately 1,000 Kuching residents from various walks of life joined to celebrate the 12th round of the relay.
The flag-off for the 4.1km relay was officiated by Abdul Karim and Fatimah at 7 am.
A total of 12 Sarawak sports icons, including Para athletes, led the relay, headed by Sarawak’s boxing champion, Daeloniel McDelon Bong, also known as Kilat Boy.
Also in attendance were MYSED Deputy Minister and SUKMA XXI Sarawak Chef De Mission Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, Deputy State Secretary (Operation) and CEO of the SUKMA XXI Sarawak 2024 Secretariat Datuk Hii Chang Kee.
