SUKMA 2024: Boxing Expected To Draw Huge Crowds In Sri Aman

By Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif

SRI AMAN, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- Boxing is anticipated to be one of the most popular sports at the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Sarawak, according to Malaysian Boxing Federation (PTM) President Datuk Mohamad Iruan Zulkefli.

He attributed this to the strategic choice of venue, the Sri Aman Sports Complex Indoor Stadium, which was filled with spectators during the Sarawak Open Boxing Championship last year.

Mohamad Iruan said that for this edition of the SUKMA, the venue has been given a fresh look following renovation works and it is also equipped with a new boxing ring, which was installed and tested by the Sarawak boxing team yesterday.

“This location (Sri Aman) was chosen because the supporters and fans here are extraordinary and numerous. From our experience in organising the Sarawak Open, we had nearly 3,000 to 4,000 spectators, filling the stadium.

"I have been informed that preparations are going smoothly. The ring has been newly purchased with funds allocated for it, and the Sarawak Boxing Association chose FBT, a brand commonly used in Thailand. In terms of participation, we have 94 athletes competing in 12 categories, and for the first time, we have women's events," he told Bernama today.

For the women's events, three categories will be contested, involving 18 athletes.

Meanwhile, he expressed hope that this edition of the SUKMA will produce new talents who can be groomed to represent Malaysia at the SEA Games in 2025 in Thailand and 2027 in Malaysia.

"I have been told  that some of the competing states have sent their boxers for training abroad, mostly in Indonesia and Thailand, and we hope that the athletes' performances will be of the highest standard as they have been given exposure and experience through the series of championships we have organised," he added.

A total of 15 gold medals will be up for grabs in boxing, which will take place here from August 16 to 23.

Sri Aman is also known for its strong association with boxing, having produced Sarawak’s sensational boxing star Daeloniel Mcdelon Bong, famously known as ‘Kilat Boy.’

SUKMA 2024,  from August 17 to 24, will take place across nine divisions in Sarawak: Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu, and Miri.

This edition will feature 37 sports with 488 events, consisting of 236 men's events, 217 women's events, and 35 mixed events, and is expected to bring together 12,619 athletes and officials.

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

-- BERNAMA