Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong (centre) answering queries by reporters at the press conference yesterday.
KUCHING: The State Sports Council (MSN) will be launching the Sarawak Sukma ‘Dream Team’ campaign on June 12 where all potential state athletes will be introduced.
According to Sarawak Sports Corporation chief executive officer Dr Ong Kong Swee, the event also aims to make the public aware of the preparation and readiness of the state contingent for next year’s Sukma (July 22-31).
“A total of 649 athletes and coaches will be gathered at the Civic Centre here for the event which will be graced by Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom,” said Ong who was speaking to the press at ISN office yesterday.
He added that all athletes will undergo a workshop after the launch and each will go for an analysis by the National Sports Institute (ISN).
“They will be tested on three important aspects, such as fitness, psychology and nutrition aspect. The athletes will also undergo for physical tests,” he said.
He also disclosed that officers from the ISN Anti Doping Unit will present a talk on doping after the event.
“This issue (doping) is important as we do not want any of our athletes to use illegal substance and we wanted the state sports contingent to be clean throughout the event,” he said.
Ong however reiterated that not all attending the ‘Dream Team’ launching event will be on the final list for the state contingent.
“The final list might be out at least four months before the Games. We might trim or add the number of athletes as we have another 13 months to go before making the final decision,” said Ong.
Among the 24 sports to be contested by the state contingent are weight-lifting, aquatics, track and field, archery, silat, shooting, taekwondo, football, tennis, tenpin bowling, cycling and badminton.
Other sports are golf, petanque, sepak takraw, gymnastics, squash, volleyball, karate-do, sailing, boxing, hockey and lawn bowl.
Also present yesterday were MSN acting director Lucas Kallang and MSN assistant director Abdul Mutallib Muhammad.