Marina (third left) presents the top trophy to the contingent from Julau District as (from left) Rakayah and Salang look on.
BINTULU: Julau District emerged the overall champion in the ‘Kejohanan Sukan Sekolah Pribumi Sarawak 2015’ held here from Sept 29 to Oct 1.
Belaga placed second while Baram came third in the annual competition, which saw a total of 90 primary schools from 16 districts taking part in the statewide tournament organised by the Sarawak Education Department.
The closing and prize-giving ceremony at Stadium Muhibah on Thursday was officiated by no less than Sports Department (Education Department) director, Datuk Marina Chin. Others present were Sarawak Education Department director Rakayah Madon and 1Malaysia Sarawak Advisory Council chairman Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum.
The tournament began in 2008 with only seven Penan schools and today it has evolved to include other schools from the interior while iM Sarawak has been sponsoring the event for three years since 2013. Among the events held were futsal, netball, sepak takraw and track and field.
According to Marina, this programme is to complement the Ministry of Education’s effort in spurring students to become more active in sports programmes, in line with the 1Student 1Sport (‘1Murid 1Sukan’) policy.
“From this tournament, the Ministry of Education hopes it can be a platform for the students to compete in a structured and healthy environment, especially for those from the rural areas.
“I hope these sports activities will become a culture among the students, teachers and also the local community, towards improving the quality of life,” Marina said, adding that the tournament will foster a sense of unity among students of different ethnics and race.
Among the participating districts were Lundu, Simunjan, Sri Aman, Lubok Antu, Betong, Saratok, Julau, Selangau, Kanowit, Kapit, Belaga, Song, Tatau, Sebauh, Baram and Lawas.— by Yunus Yussop