Swee (seated centre), Loganath (seated 2nd left) and Ahmad Rodzli (seated 2nd right).
KUCHING: Sarawak have been invited to take part in the Asia Pacific Masters Games which will be held held in Penang from Sept 7-15. The Penang As ia-Paci f i c Masters Games Publicity and Media Director, Loganath Veloo met Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO, Dr Ong Kong Swee yesterday and briefed members of the various sports associations on the background of the Games. In his briefing, Loganath said the Games for veterans – which is a multi-sports event consisting of 21 sports – will be the largest sports event ever held in Penang. “We want to promote it to the level of the Sukma in which 21 sports, including an additional lion dance event will be held.
“It is a good opportunity for those above 25 to participate in the event which is also the biggest challenge for the Penang State Government as organisers. Loganath said the concept of the Masters Games was the first time for such a multi-sports regional event in Asia. To suit the competitions in the Games, certain sports eligibility to participate is different as it will be for those 25 and younger for the swimming event while for hockey it is for 30 to 35 age bracket. The unique thing about the Games, said Loganath, is that there is no qualification or selection to compete in the Games as all they have to do is go to the website and register.
He said the swimming competition will be held from Sept 7-15 while the official opening ceremony will be held on Sept 8 with its closing on Sept 15. The Games kicked off with the Torch Run which started at the foothill of Mount Kinabalu in Sabah on May 2 and will shift to Limbang for the second leg after the Hari Raya holidays. The sports in the eight-day spectacular include archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, cycling, football, golf, hockey, lion dance, netball, pencak silat, shooting, softball, squash, swimmikng, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, tenpin bowling, volleyball, weightlifting and wushu.
