SUKMA 2024: SARAWAK WILLING TO 'LEND' ATHLETES TO OTHER STATES

By Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif

KUCHING, July 12 (Bernama) -- Host Sarawak is prepared to 'lend' its athletes to other states to overcome the problem of lack of participation in certain events at the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) 2024, scheduled to be held from Aug 17 to 24.

Sarawak State Sports Council (SSC) director Awang Putra Yusrie said that based on information received last week, 30 of the 488 events to be featured at the games seem unlikely to get the minimum participation of six states and thus risk being dropped.

Awang Putra, who is also Sarawak Sports Corporation chief executive officer, said dropping these events would have a negative impact on the development of athletes.

“We (Sarawak) have backup athletes; previously, we had also offered several divers to help other states and we had also offered our women's futsal team. If other states need athletes in other sports, we are ready (to lend them).

"They (athletes on loan) can train with our athletes here using our facilities. We have talent and it's a pity if they can't participate in SUKMA. It would be a loss ... the talent will be wasted. But if there's a request (to borrow), we will definitely help," said Awang Putra, adding that he wants all the 488 events to be contested.

He said this in a special interview with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Complex here.

The Bernama delegation was headed by editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj and deputy executive editor Elmi Rizal Elias.

Awang Putra felt that it would be unfair to states that have made thorough preparations, including purchasing plane tickets and paying their athletes' allowances, if the events are eventually dropped.

"I hope the SSC of other states are aligned with our purpose for holding SUKMA and sending athletes this time. The costs in Sarawak are quite high, but this is our opportunity to develop athletes in Malaysia," he said.

He said a decision on whether any events would be dropped due to lack of participation would be finalised at the SUKMA Sarawak 2024 Special Technical Committee meeting to be chaired by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh in Kuala Lumpur on July 18.

SUKMA 2024 will feature 37 types of sports involving 488 events, comprising 236 men's events, 217 women's events and 35 mixed events. The competitions will be staged in nine divisions - Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri.

SUKMA was introduced in 1986 and Sarawak has hosted it twice before, in 1990 and 2016.

-- BERNAMA