Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said after the Malaysia Games (Sukma) Sarawak, the selected athletes will undergo intensive training in preparation for upcoming national and international competitions.
“The athletes will be preparing for the World Aquatics Junior Diving Championships from Nov 20 to Dec 2 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 46th SEA Age Group Championships from Dec 5 to 8 in Bangkok, Thailand; and Squash British Open from Jan 2 to 6, 2025 in Birmingham, United Kingdom,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech, Tuesday (Nov 19).
Abdul Karim added that participation in these international championships will offer invaluable experience and exposure, further sharpening their skills and preparation for future competitions.
Among the 27 athlete are swimmers Jeff Chua Yu Yang and Kelly Teo Yao; cyclists Afif Darwish and Mohd Danial Hakim; Fedealis Kom (taekwondo); Angeline Malika Atong, Cuthberta Entai, Josie Mavcellina Gone, Vanessa Nyalo David, and Valerie Juan (women’s rugby); Altamis Aqhar Sallam A. Suffian (squash); Nur Qaireen Syakira Abedul Samad (cricket); Muhammad Yassin Syahrizan (sailing); and Hanis Firdaus and Joachim Rafael (gymnastics).
Nine petanque athletes, namely Dayang Nurulnuhaa Fasihah Abang Misbahhuddin, Farid Amiru Muhamad, Nur Durratul Sahira Yazi, Akhtar Shauqi Aini Mohd Dom, Abdul Harith Oris, Aniq Ashraf Mohamad Hafizul, Alif Zayd Zen, Ain Aisyah Ezlan, will also be sent for training.
Meanwhile, badminton player Wong Ling Ching and golfers Mirabel Ting Ern Hui and Anson Yeo Boon Yiang are also among the athletes who will undergo training in their respective sports.
In preparation for the 2026 Sukma, Abdul Karim said Sarawak is committed to fielding elite teams at national-level events, ensuring its athletes gain valuable exposure to high-level competition.
“The Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) has also retained elite athlete status for 26 per cent of current medalists eligible for Sukma 2026, offering benefits such as monthly allowance and sports equipment to support their training and motivation to represent Sarawak in the upcoming Sukma.”
He added that for next year, MSNS and Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) plan to organise sports science conferences to promote evidence-based approaches that enable athletes and active individuals to optimise their training.
“In addition, sports science education focused on sports development will also be provided as well as implementing talent identification development programmes for emerging young athletes throughout Sarawak.”
