KUCHING: The participation of 11 countries in the Sarawak Premier International Silat Championship 2023 has given the state government the confidence to continue organising and promoting globally recognised sports events.
Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the success of the championship is proof of Sarawak’s unique appeal and ability to attract world-class athletes.
“The involvement of these countries here gives us a boost to continue our initiative to organise international sporting championships.
“Furthermore, their arrival here will certainly give exposure to our silat athletes to be better prepared with skills and a higher level of fighting spirit to win gold medals at the SUKMA Games which will be held next year,” he said at the opening ceremony at Stadium Perpaduan here yesterday (Feb 27).
Abdul Karim noted that international championships are not easy to organise.
“Hence, I call on the athletes to compete with all their heart and energy throughout the championship.”
He said the local and international contingents should compete in a healthy manner, respect one another, display a spectacular show and fight it out for silat enthusiasts who have come to watch the championship.
“I also wish and hope that our silat exponents will project themselves as role models with a warrior spirit for the younger generation to venture into this sport.
“And I am confident that in the spirit and dedication shown by our Premier in ensuring that the sports industry in Sarawak thrives, we will be able to produce more silat athletes who will bring Sarawak’s name to the international stage,” he said.
