BERNAMA PAYS COURTESY CALL ON SARAWAK SUKMA CEO

KUCHING, July 9 (Bernama) -- A delegation representing the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) today paid a courtesy call on the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sarawak Malaysia Games (SUKMA) 2024 Secretariat Datu Hii Chang Kee at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here.

The news agency’s delegation was led by its CEO Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin. Also present were editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, deputy executive editor Elmi Rizal Elias, and Sarawak bureau chief Hamdan Ismail.

Speaking after the courtesy call, Nur-ul Afida said various matters were discussed with Datu Hii, who is also Deputy State Secretary, during the meeting which lasted 30 minutes.

“Actually, we also wanted to visit and see for ourselves the venues prepared by the Sarawak Government for the events that we will be covering during SUKMA. 

“During our discussion, various matters have also been raised by Datu Hii, especially about the coverage by Bernama Wires, Bernama TV, and Bernama Radio for SUKMA Sarawak,” she said.

Nur-ul Afida said the news agency will deploy approximately 40 staff consisting of sports reporters, broadcast journalists, editors, photographers, and cameramen to cover the Games, with some of them would be flown to Land of the Hornbills as early as Aug 10.

“This shows our seriousness in providing extensive coverage for SUKMA Sarawak because, this time around, it is being organised on a much larger scale with more events and more athletes.

“So, I think it is only right for Bernama to give our full support and cooperation in terms of providing comprehensive coverage and promotion on all our platforms, including Bernama TV and Bernama Radio, besides fulfilling our obligation to provide news to all our subscribers,” she said.

Nur-ul Afida said Bernama TV would also have a special half-hour slot for SUKMA updates from 7.30 pm daily throughout the Games.

SUKMA 2024 will be held across the nine divisions in Sarawak, namely Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri,  from Aug 17 to 24.

A total of 37 types of sports will be contested involving 488 events consisting of 236 men's events, 217 women's events, and 35 mixed events, which will see the participation of 12,619 athletes and officials.

SUKMA, which was introduced in 1986, has been organised in Sarawak twice, in 1990 and 2016.

-- BERNAMA