Mayor Chan (seated centre), with Wong (on his left) and other visiting delegates of the for the 19th Sopma XIX (Deaf Games), expressed their love in sign language in a photo call taken during the courtesy visit at MBKS headquarters.
KUCHING: The Sarawak Deaf Sports Association (SSDeaf) is looking for sponsorship to aid the preparation of athletes for the 19th Sukan Orang Pekak Malaysia (Sopma XIX), in the city from Sept 30 till Oct 7.
SSDeaf president Albert Wong Tuong Chai, when communicating through an interpreter, said the state will send 65 athletes to compete in the four categories — badminton, men’s football, tenpin bowling and athletics — offered in this year’s games.
The association is facing financial constraint to help its athletes with their training, equipment, transportation as well as accommodation heading to Sopma XIX; which is only two months away. In addition, the SSDeaf also welcomes those with coaching experience to help the athletes to improve their performance.
“Our athletes are training hard. They are targeting a good showing amid the financial constraints that is limiting their preparation. We are looking for any type of sponsorships and donation to help them. We are looking for those who can help with their training to improve performance,” he told reporters when met after a courtesy call on Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk James Chan at his office here yesterday.
Wong led a delegation of Sarawak Sopma athletes and his counterparts from other states who will be participating at the games. Also present were representatives from the relevant state bodies of the four events that will be featured in Sopma XIX.
He anticipated some 1,400 athletes, volunteers and officials to be involved in this year’s edition which will see Sarawak playing host for the first time.
Meanwhile, mayor Chan said the city is honoured to have been picked as the host for Sopma, which will provide an opportunity for people across the country to visit and experience Kuching. He mentioned that MBKS will provide as much assistance as possible to ensure the smooth running of Sopma XIX.
“You may be deaf but you are no different from anyone of us. We are happy that you will be competing here, we welcome you to Sarawak. While you are here, I hope everyone will take the time to experience Kuching. Please take time to forge new friendship and build networks. This meet is an opportunity for us all to promote unity,” he advised.
The visit of officials from the other state contingents to Kuching this week was to inspect the venues that will be used for the meet as well as to discuss on other technical matters.
Sopma, or Malaysian Sports for the Deaf, is the principal sporting event for the deaf in the country. The biennial games was first held in 1983. Sabah emerged champion in the previous Sopma held in Melaka.
Through this sporting event, athletes will be selected to represent the country at the international meets for the deaf such as the Asia Pacific Deaf Games and Deaflympics Games.
For those looking to get in touch with the association, contact SSDeaf secretary Helen Chung at 016 892 5033.