“The reward for doing great work is the opportunity to do more great work“
Jonas Salk
I am genuinely impressed and want to congratulate all Sarawakians who participated in the recently concluded 27th World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) at the Long Beach Convention Centre in California, the United States.
They did not just participate but also returned home with medals, showcasing their exceptional talent.
Together with participants from other states in Peninsular Malaysia, they formed Team Malaysia and delivered outstanding performances that put our country and state on the world map.
As a Sarawakian myself, I couldn’t be prouder. Kudos to all of them!
The WCOPA, often referred to as the “Olympics of the performing arts,” took place from June 28 to July 6.
It featured six categories: vocal, dance, music, acting, modelling, and variety arts.
The competitions were divided into junior (ages 5-15) and senior (ages 16 and above) divisions.
Team Malaysia achieved remarkable success, winning a total of 37 medals across 70 categories, including 13 gold, 11 silver, and 13 bronze medals.
Sarawak participants played a significant role in this achievement.
Standford Ryan Sidi, Taylor Louise, Dion Das Louis, and Jasmine Arora Seliman are among the notable performers who made us proud.
Standford emerged as the most outstanding Sarawak participant, winning a gold medal in Original Work, silver medals in Contemporary, Open Category, and Classic, and a bronze in Jazz.
He was also named World Champion All Division in Original Work.
Louise, a talented ten-year-old, secured a gold medal in the open category for ages eight to ten with her rendition of Billie Eilish’s song “What Was I Made For”.
Eight-year-old Dion, known as the “Little Borneon Birdie,” won two gold medals.
He became the champion in the Junior Division’s Ethnic Dance and “Photo Shoot Model” categories.
Dion was the youngest contestant from the Malaysian contingent.
Arora, from Pakan, Sarikei division, won a gold and a silver medal for her exceptional performances.
These superb achievements prove that Sarawak is home to many talented individuals of world-class calibre.
This serves as a reminder that Sarawakians should strive to showcase their success and talent not only at the state and national levels but also on the global stage.
I hope that the governments in Putrajaya and Sarawak will consider introducing incentives to show appreciation for these winners.
Such incentives would not only motivate them to excel in future competitions but also inspire others to aim to become world champions themselves.
Achievements on the global stage not only bring glory to the individual participants but also elevate the national spirit and pride.
They symbolise the culmination of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.
These accomplishments resonate deeply, fostering a sense of unity and patriotism.
Therefore, governments must recognise and reward such achievements.
Unfortunately, it is fair to say that Malaysia, including Sarawak, still lacks adequate support for sports and talents.
This lack of support often discourages Malaysians from pursuing sports and other talents, as they feel there are limited rewards and career opportunities in these areas.
This mindset can hinder talent development and participation in sports, ultimately affecting the nation’s ability to excel internationally.
Recognising and rewarding excellence goes beyond medals and records.
It is about inspiring future generations, promoting national and state pride, and nurturing a healthier and more vibrant community.
Therefore, it is imperative for governments, including those in Putrajaya and Sarawak, to consider implementing robust reward systems that acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of individuals who enhance the country and state’s reputation on the global stage.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Sarawak Tribune.
