SUKMA 2024: Young Perlis Sailor Optimistic Of Landing Medal

KANGAR, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Young Perlis sailing athlete Lydia Hannah Jasmine Lukman, 12, who is representing the state for the first time in the Malaysian Games (SUKMA), is optimistic of contributing a medal to Perlis in the championship in Sarawak.

Lydia Hannah Jasmine said that even though she is young and will be making her SUKMA debut, hopes to do well as she has made 100 per cent preparation for SUKMA 2024.

"I became interested in the sailing since I was 11 years old and was fully encouraged by my mother and father to venture into the extreme sport even at a very young age. It was my parents who initially introduced me to my sailing coach.

"The interest suddenly came on its own and I started participating in this sport at the age of 11, although this sport is quite challenging but it is the best because my brother Nur Adlina Nasreen Mohd Nasri is also an athlete in this sport," she told Bernama recently.

Lydia who will be competing in women's individual optimist event for the under-15 category at SUKMA, said that among her best achievements in 2024 was winning three medals at the 10th Perlis Open Regatta, which was third place in the Female Category (OPTIMIST), second place in Perlis Close (OPTIMIST) and first place 10th overall (OPTIMIST).

"I have also participated in international championships including the 20th Langkawi International Regatta Perdana 2024, 2024 Thailand National Sailing Championship, and 3rd Langkawi International Youth Sailing Championship 2024," she said.

Lydia Hannah Jasmine who is a student of Sekolah Kebangsaan Utan Aji said the practice of participating in the international tournament gave her the strength and confidence to compete in SUKMA 2024 besides her training.

She hopes to become a professional sailing athlete like her idol, national sailor Nur Shazrin Mohamad Latif and dreams of representing the country at the Olympics one day.

Meanwhile, Perlis State Sports Council (MSNPs) director Mohd Azraai Zain Tusimin said he hoped Lydia Hannah Jasmine could do her best and experience for herself on the SUKMA 2024 stage.

"To Lydia, who is the youngest athlete of SUKMA Perlis contingent, I wish her the best and that she can gain experience and be able to bring glory to Perlis and keep fighting, God willing, success awaits you," he said.

SUKMA 2024 in Sarawak is scheduled to open from August 17 to 24 which involves nine divisions namely in Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri.

A total of 37 types of sports are contested at SUKMA 2024 involving 488 events consisting of 236 men's events and 217 women's events and another 35 mixed events.

-- BERNAMA