KUCHING: Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) director Francis Nyurang Ding has reminded state sports associations not to take the coming Sukma XVI as an exposure for their athletes.
According to him, the state have always been serious in competing at every sporting event and the Sukma games are no different.
19 sports which include “lesser known sports” will be contested at this year’s Sukma XVI to be held in Kuala Lumpur.
MSNS have to date confirmed Sarawak’s participation in only 6 sports namely table tennis, judo, fencing, indoor volleyball, futsal (only women’s team) and muay thai (only selected exponents).
“Sukma is not a place for exposure but rather a battleground. By sending our athletes there, we fight for the honour of Sarawak sports,” Francis emphasised.
MSNS has yet to finalise the number of sports events that Sarawak will compete at the games this year.
Francis also revealed that a meeting between the MSNS and various state sports associations will be held tomorrow (Jan 16).
These associations, which fall under what the council call category `C’, have to fork out their own expenses to compete in the games. MSNS will, however, reinburse them for expenses if they succeed in winning medals for the state.
“Apart from forking out their own expenses, they (state sports associations) must also prove to MSNS that they have a proven track record at any national-level meet. We are serious and MSNS only want quality and qualified athletes to represent the state,” Francis elaborated.
The experimental format which includes lesser known sports was first tried at the Sukma games in 2011. Sarawak’s performed poorly 2 years ago.
The state was placed in 12th place winning only two gold, four silver and eight bronze medals.