SUKMA: SARAWAK HAS STRATEGY TO WIN 70 GOLD MEDALS - CDM

KUCHING, July 11 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak contingent has its own strategy to secure at least 70 gold medals in their quest to clinch the overall championship title at the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA) next month.

Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development of Sarawak, who is also the chef de mission of the Sarawak contingent, Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, is optimistic about hitting the target and claiming the overall champion title for the fourth time.

“We are optimistic, and it has always been the hope of the people of Sarawak and the desire of the Sarawak Premier (Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) to become champions this year.

“We believe we can achieve 70 gold medals. We are fine-tuning our strategy because, with 488 events, if we don’t win a significant percentage, we won’t be able to become champions,” he said during a special interview with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) recently.

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

Yesterday, Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the state aimed to collect at least 70 gold medals at SUKMA based on feedback received during a briefing with assistant chef-de-missions (ACDM) recently.

Sarawak emerged as SUKMA champions in the 1990, 1992, and 1994 editions.

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 held in Sarawak twice, in 1990 and 2016.

-- BERNAMA