Golf to be included in 2016 SukmaCM throws challenge to Sarawak Golf Association

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KUCHING: The state government has agreed to include golf as one of the sports in the 2016 Sukma to be hosted by Sarawak.

Adenan (second right) sharing a light moment with Hoan after he made a putt yesterday. Seen on the left is Jamilah. — Photo by Chimon Upon

Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem, who made the announcement, said he had discussed the matter with Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom.

“You still have about two years for you to prepare our golfers to make a clean sweep in the game,” he said at the closing and prize presentation ceremony for the 1st Sarawak Grand Championship held at Kuching Golf Sarawak (KGS) here yesterday.

Adenan, who is also the president of KGS, was responding to an earlier request by Sarawak Golf Association president Hoan Kee Hock for golf to be in the 2016 Sukma.

Meanwhile, Sibu’s Lee Kah Tung took the men’s title at the championship while Rebecca Sia won the women’s category.

The chief minister said the championship would bring a lot of benefits to the development of golf in Sarawak because it could become a good tourism product attracting more people to visit here.

“We are also very happy to see many of our junior golfers taking part in this event and competing together with top golfers all over Sarawak and elsewhere.”

Hoan said the success of the championship showed that the state has good facilities and the right people to organise the competition.

He hoped that with the continuous support from Adenan the competition can become a permanent feature in the Sarawak golf calendar.

To this request, Adenan assured Hoan that the tournament would be held annually so long as he is the chief minister.

Among those present during the event were Adenan’s wife Puan Sri Dato Jamilah Anu, former deputy chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, State Secretary and deputy president of KGS Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani and Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof.