Focus on medals prospect events, says Mawan

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SARAWAK BOLEH!: Lee, Jabu, Soedirman, Hasidah and Sarawak State Sports Council director Francis Nyurang Ding (second right) with the Sarawak Sukma athletes.

KUCHING: Sarawak must place more focus on the sports that have potential of yielding medals at Sukma XIV in Kuala Lumpur from June 2 to 12.

Minister of Social Development and Urbanisation Dato Sri William Mawan Ikom said yesterday that he was confident that the state contingent would be able to regain past glory in Sukma as past records have proven of the state’s success in the national games.

“I believe if all the state athletes, coaches and officials strive hard in preparing for the challenge and giving their very best in the games, we are sure of success,” he said at the flag presentation ceremony at the multi-purpose hall at Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia at Petra Jaya.

Mawan’s text of speech was read by his representative Assistant Sports Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin who is the state contingent chef de mission.

According to Mawan, Sarawak are taking part in 12 out of the 19 events competed at Sukma XIV and the challenge does not only concern about the athletes and the officials but it also about defending the state’s honour.

The events that the state are participating in are basketball, beach volleyball, canoeing, cricket, cycling (track), futsal, handball, judo, kebaddi, rugby, softball and table tennis.

Sarawak contingent of 281 members comprise 121 male athletes, 87 female athletes, 18 coaches, 13 team managers and 42 secretariat officials.

Deputies chef de mission are Assistant Minister of Planning and Resource Management Mohd Naroden Majais and permanent secretary to the Ministry of Social Development and Urbanisation Soedirman Aini.

The assistants chef de mission are Semariang assemblywoman Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Abang Affendi Abang Anuar and Datuk Azman Samaon.

Yesterday’s flag presentation was part of the activities for the contingent camp starting yesterday and ending next Tuesday.

It was officiated by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang who represented the Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

There will be a Gawai Dayak celebration for the athletes and officials later yesterday.