KUCHING, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- Sarawak has showed its readiness to organise bigger sports games after successfully hosting the Malaysian Games (SUKMA) from Aug 17-24 and Para SUKMA 2024 from Sept 22-28.
The success, which received praise from various parties including the Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh, did not lull Sarawak into its comfort zone, instead it plans to start preparations to host the 2027 SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games (APG) next.
Sarawak SUKMA and Para SUKMA chief executive officer Datuk Hii Chang Kee said that the two games are the best platform for the secretariat and the main committee to assess the level of readiness, as well as to gain valuable experience for organising larger sporting events, including the SEA Games and APG.
"We will conduct a post-mortem to identify any issues that arose during SUKMA and Para SUKMA, and will take immediate action in preparation for the SEA Games and APG.
"Based on the last CDM (Contingent Leader) meeting yesterday, we received very positive feedback. The Sarawak government, with the cooperation of all contingents, is very satisfied with the organisation of SUKMA and Para SUKMA this time," he told Bernama.
Hii, who is also Sarawak Deputy State Secretary (Operations), said the events to be organised by Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur or Penang for the SEA Games and APG 2027 have not been decided specifically, but the decision is expected to be made through further discussions with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The Para SUKMA Games which ended yesterday saw 22 national records and 71 Games records being broken. More than 1,200 athletes from 15 states competed in 10 sports to hunt for 327 gold medals.
Sarawak again seized the championship title by winning 82 gold, 53 silver and 74 bronze, while the defending champion, Sabah was in second place with 62 gold, 42 silver and 32 bronze, followed by Johor in third position with 33 gold, 35 silver and 29 bronze.
Hii said, in addition to providing disabled-friendly infrastructure and facilities, the organisers also provide counselors to help athletes emotionally throughout Para SUKMA.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) secretary-general Dr K. Nagulendran saw the achievements of the 'extraordinary' athletes who broke 22 national records in swimming, powerlifting and archery as a positive sign for the future of the country's sports.
Nagulendran said the ministry was really excited to see the line-up of athletes stand out with their respective national records, especially the young athletes who are able to take over their senior positions on the highest stage later.
Although the performance of female athletes is very encouraging in Bumi Kenyalang, he hopes the state government and the National Youth and Sports Department (JBSN) to continue to empower the sports development of this group, thus ensuring that the country does not lack talent.
Nagulendran at the same time, is optimistic that Sarawak will be able to co-host APG 2027 after being satisfied with the facilities provided by the state throughout Para SUKMA 2024.
"With a little more improvement in the facilities involved, I think Sarawak is ready to be a joint organiser of the SEA Games and APG 2027," he said.
In other developments, he said the ministry would also examine the views of the Main Committee before deciding on the age limit for athletes' participation in Para SUKMA in the future.
-- BERNAMA
