KUCHING: The Sarawak contingent assistant chef de missions (ACDM) for September’s Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Games have been reminded to take care of the wellbeing of athletes and ensure that preparations are not disrupted by personal issues.
Minister for Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said ACDMs could be described as parental figures to the young athletes.
“All ACDMs need to know which sport they are responsible for and to make sure the athletes have prepared well. Look after them as if they’re your own children.
“These young athletes are easily affected by the simplest of things, such as losing their cellphone or other personal stuffs, which could make them lose focus and eventually affect their performance.
“Therefore, ACDMs should be fully prepared in case such a situation happens,” he said at event involving Sarawak contingent officials here yesterday.
A total of 20 ACDMs, consisting of several state assemblymen, have been tasked with looking after their respective sport.
“The ACDM appointment is expected to be a valuable experience for some new members involved in the Sukma.
“Most of those appointed are people’s representatives (wakil rakyat) so do not expect special treatment, but get involved in the competition instead.
“ACDMs need to be firm as well as there might be certain incidents or attempts to disrupt the Sarawak contingent, so we have to be brave to speak up during meetings and competitions,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu called on all ACDMs to be committed in their jobs, especially in taking care of the athletes.
The Sarawak contingent chef de mission emphasised that this was one of the roles of ACDMs on the field, at the same time, working together to ensure Sarawak hit their medal target.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development, Dr Ripin Lamat; the ministry’s permanent secretary Nancy Jolhi and Sarawak Sports Corporation chief executive officer and Sarawak Sports Council director Morshidi Fredrick.
