Let’s go for it after 22 years — Karim

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KUCHING: The Sarawak contingent into top gear to end the state’s 22-year drought by emerging overall champion in the 2016 Sukma Games.

Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Sarawak last came out champion in Sukma Games in 1994, and he keeps faith that Sarawakian athletes can secure their first win in 22 years.

“We hope to be the overall champion and we are fully prepared for it. We wish our athletes all the very best. In terms of medals, our target is to obtain 72 gold medals. But if we can get 64 gold medals, I think we can still be overall champion,” he told journalists during his Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house here yesterday.

Karim, who is also the state contingent chef-de-mission, said among the serious title contenders were defending champion Terengganu as well as Selangor and Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.

The Sarawak contingent, he said, was expected to take part in 25 events during the national games from July 22 to 31.

“The official opening by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud is scheduled for July 23 while the closing ceremony will be presided over by the prime minister. This year’s Sukma Games will take place in Kuching, Samarahan, Sibu and Miri. I hope the local residents in Sarawak will fill up all the venues to give strong moral support in all events.”

He added that admissions to all venues would be free.

Karim said about 6,000 athletes and officials from throughout the country were participating in the 10-day games while more than 1,000 volunteers would lend a hand to make the national event a success. He pointed out that some RM400 million has been spent on constructing and upgrading facilities in the four divisions involved in the coming games.

“We now have the best Aquatics Centre which is worth RM200 million along with a 48-lane bowling centre, a whole new shooting range and a new squash centre.”

The new volleyball centre in Sibu, according to him, will be opened tomorrow (Monday).

“We hope all the athletes would have a pleasant stay in Sarawak. The games is good for economy with many hotels and homestays now fully booked.”

Noting that the state Barisan Nasional won a landslide victory in the May 7 election, Karim said: “We want to see another celebration after Sukma.”