KUCHING: Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Minister, has expressed a strong belief that Sarawak is on track to reclaim the overall championship title at the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA).
Sarawak’s Strong Start at SUKMA 2024
Sarawak’s performance at SUKMA 2024 has been impressive so far, with the state leading the medals table. The current tally stands at four gold, one silver, and three bronze medals. This early success is seen as a positive indicator of Sarawak’s potential to excel throughout the games.
Abdul Karim’s Optimistic Outlook
In a recent press conference held after the opening ceremony of the 21st SUKMA tennis event at the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) courts, Abdul Karim highlighted the state’s strong showing in various sports. He noted, “Our performance so far is good. We’ve just had started with events like wushu, cycling, and tenpin bowling that have reached the finals, and we have clinched some gold medals.”
Abdul Karim’s optimism is evident in his statement about Sarawak’s prospects in the ongoing games. He emphasized that Sarawak has a solid chance of adding more gold medals to its tally, with several sports still in play. “There are more sports where I know we will be able to win even more gold medals,” he said.
The Long-Awaited Championship Title
The quest for the overall championship title is a significant one for Sarawak. Abdul Karim stressed the importance of reclaiming the title that has eluded the state for decades. “As I have been mentioning all this while, we want to be the overall champions. It’s been a very long wait for us,” he remarked.
The last time Sarawak held the overall championship title was in 1994, making it a 30-year gap. Abdul Karim expressed his hope that this year, Sarawak will be able to break the long-standing drought and emerge as the champions once again. “This is the year, God willing, Sarawak will be the overall champions,” he added.
Key Highlights from SUKMA 2024
- Wushu Success: Wushu athlete Stephanie Ngu Chai Ern contributed to Sarawak’s latest gold medal victory. Her performance has been a highlight of the games so far, showcasing Sarawak’s strength in martial arts.
- Current Standings: As of 11:40 am, Terengganu ranks second in the medals table, followed by Penang in third place. Sarawak’s lead reflects the state’s strong performance across various disciplines.
Looking Ahead
With a solid start and several sports events still to come, Sarawak’s ambition to secure the overall championship title remains strong. The state’s athletes are gearing up for more competitions, and the support from officials like Abdul Karim adds to the motivation and drive.
As the games continue, all eyes will be on Sarawak to see if they can maintain their momentum and achieve their goal of becoming the overall champions at SUKMA 2024.