KUCHING: Sarawak’s 47-gold medal target is within its reach in next month’s Sukma XV based on the recent achievements by its athletes in various exposure tournaments being competed as a warm up prior to the games.
“We should be doing well in sports like athletics, aquatics (swimming and diving), wushu and tenpin bowling,” said the confident Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) Francis Nyurang of the state contingent’s outing in Kuantan, Pahang.
A total of 377 gold medals, 377 silvers and 453 bronzes are up for grabs in Sukma XV to be held from July 7-16.
“Yes, it is achievable if things are going the way that we have planned…there are hurdles to overcome where results of subjective sports will be based on judging,” he said while announcing the 524-strong contingent comprising athletes and officials to compete in 22 out of 24 events in Pahang.
To be led by chef-de-mission, Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who is Assistant Sports Minister cum Assistant Minister of Communications, the contingent top brass will include deputies chef de mission Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Liwan Lagang and Affandi Keli while the assistants chef de mission are Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Snowland Lawan, Datuk Azman Samaon, Sunny Si, Abang Affandi Anuar Abang Anuar, Datin Mary Sadiah Zainuddin, Gerald Rentap, Robert Lau, Ellen @ Manium Engang and Helena Wee.
Sarawak’s first medal is expected to come from karate which will be competed starting tomorrow and a total of 16 gold, 16 silver and 32 bronze medals are for the taking from the eight men’s and eight women’s categories.
To support the local media coverage on Sukma, Lea Sports Centre has once again come forward to sponsor sports kits for the newsmen.
The sponsorship was handed over by the company’s senior operation manager, Poh Siok Hoon and was witnessed by Francis, his deputy Frederick Tan and MSNS administrator Sim Siang Boon.