KUCHING, Aug 19 (Bernama) — Nothing is impossible when you have the right mindset of wanting to deliver gold," said Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, praising the Sarawak taekwondo athletes for their outstanding performance after contributing 11 gold medals at the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) so far.
The Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister expressed confidence that the host team will win even more gold medals, given the remaining categories and the athletes' determination to make the state proud.
“I have been very delighted with the performance of taekwondo even though before SUKMA, we anticipated up to seven gold medals, but they have already surpassed that with 11 golds.
“It's unprecedented. It's better than what we did in 2016. So I wish to express my thanks, congratulations to the whole team, the coaches, the managers and of course the very dedicated athletes," he told reporters after the medal presentation ceremony to the taekwondo winners at the Unity Stadium here today.
Sarawak won eight taekwondo `gold medals in the 2016 edition before bringing home four in 2018, while taekwondo was not contested in 2022.
Abdul Karim also encouraged the country's athletes in ongoing events to continue their hard work and ensure that the ‘Ibu Pertiwiku’, the official state anthem of Sarawak, echoes throughout the state.
“I hope that the other sports that have just started the competition today, tomorrow, will be able to perform to their best. I know some are going into finals.
“I might drop by Bintulu to support the (Muaythai) team. I also know that boxing might also be able to achieve something.
“Even cricket, we are in the final for the first time,” he added, expressing confidence that Sarawak is on track to be the overall winner of the biennial games.
SUKMA 2024 officially opened last Saturday and is scheduled to end on Aug 24.
This edition features 37 sports, encompassing a total of 488 events-- 236 for men, 217 for women and 35 in mixed-gender categories.
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