By Nursyabiha Shukri
KUCHING, Aug 24 (Bernama) – Sarawak bid ‘Selamat Jalai’, or farewell in Iban, to the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) tonight, closing a thrilling 13-day showcase of fierce competition and indomitable spirit among young athletes striving for glory.
The Games cauldron, which was lit with great fanfare last Saturday, was ceremoniously extinguished tonight at the Unity Stadium here, marking the end of a multi-sport event to remember.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated the closing ceremony of the Games, which witnessed 488 gold medals across 37 sports being contested at various venues in nine divisions of Sarawak
Also present were Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The spotlight shone on the top athletes of SUKMA 2024: Selangor swimmer Andrew Goh and Negeri Sembilan sharpshooter Gan Chen Jie, who were crowned sportsman and sportswoman of SUKMA 2024.
The winners were honoured with RM5,000 in cash, trophies and commemorative plaques, presented by the Prime Minister himself.
Host state Sarawak emerged overall champions, securing 76 golds, 55 silvers and 70 bronze medals, narrowly pipping the Federal Territories (FT), who ended their campaign with 75 golds, 65 silvers, and 72 bronzes.
Selangor came in third with 56 golds, 64 silvers and 61 bronzes.
Unity in diversity was then showcased in the opening ‘Sporty Dance’ by 230 primary school students, highlighting the Sarawakian spirit of 'Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban' (as long as I live, I'll fight) and 'Segulai Sejalai'.
The closing ceremony kicked off with a lively parade featuring 15 competing contingents, led by the Jalur Gemilang contingent from the 11th Royal Malay Regiment and 1st Division Infantry spearheaded by Warrant Officer II Wan Mohd Razmie Wan Hasan.
As a symbolic gesture marking the end of the Games, the championship flag, which has been flying since Aug, was lowered by nine personnel of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), led by Sub-lieutenant Syful Mirza Alluwie.
The SUKMA cauldron was then extinguished, accompanied by the Games theme song ‘SUKMA Sarawak, Kesukanan dalam Perpaduan’ (Sportsmanship in Unity) performed by Sarawak-born artist Bob Yusof.
Upon the handover of the championship flag and torch from Abang Johari to the Menteri Besar of Selangor, who will host the 22nd edition in 2026, the ceremony continued with a ‘Joget Selangor’ performance.
Despite being held in an indoor stadium, the closing ceremony was attended by around 2,000 spectators, who were treated to a dazzling display of lights, refreshing music, and artistic light and laser shows.
In addition to Bob, the closing ceremony featured performances by De Fam and rock queen Ella, who performed the iconic song ‘Standing In The Eyes Of The World’.
The event concluded with a spectacular fireworks display, also broadcast on screens in the stadium.
Sarawak previously hosted the biennial Games in 1990 and 2016.
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