KUCHING: After over two weeks of gruelling competition between 5, 659 athletes and sports contingents from all across Malaysia in 24 sports, the 18th Malaysian Games (Sukma) ended with an incredibly magnificent and memorable closing ceremony July 31.
The stadium was heated with the highlight of the evening, the presentation of Best Sportsman and Sportswoman followed by overall champion for the 18th Sukma.
Seventeen-year-old Nur Aqilah Yusof from Terengganu of archery was named best sportwoman, while Melaka’s 18-year-old Khairul Hafiz Jantan of athletics was declared best sportsman of Sukma XVIII for breaking several records at both Sukma and national levels.
The Selangor contingent reigned supreme as overall champion of Sukma XVIII Sarawak for winning 59 golds, 73 silvers and 63 bronzes. This was Selangor’s ninth win in the games.
Sarawak had to be content with being first runner-up with 57 golds, 43 silvers and 59 bronzes.
The event was followed by the lowering of the Sukma flag and a handing over ceremony to the next host state, Perak.
Ten members of the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) led by Leftenan Muda Ahmad Najib Wahid accompanied by Platun Tambor from 11th Batalion Rejimen Askar Melayu Di Raja.
Sarawakian singer Bob Yusof and violinist Nisa Addina performed the theme song entitled ‘Sukma Ke-18’.
The handing over of the Sukma flag started with Pasukan Special Tactical Operation Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM) of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue department who zip-lined in with the Sarawak and Perak flags.
The Storm team gave the games flag to Sarawak’s very own Miss Malaysia World 2014 Dewi Liana Seriestha before she handed it over to the chief minister to be given to the Menteri Besar Perak Dato Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
After the handing over of the games flag, a cultural performance by dancers from Perak followed.
It was indeed a remarkable and unforgettable event as Sarawak was the proud host for the second time after 26 years.
The evening started with singing by Iban powerhouse Ricky Andrewson who delivered his ever popular song including ‘Bekikis Bulu Betis’, that brought the crowd jumping up in their seats and dancing along.
Evergreen singer Jay Jay continued the performances segment with a medley of his popular hits including ‘Hari Raya Bahagia’, ‘Belaian Jiwa’, ‘Kenangan Lalu’, ‘Rindu Bayangan’, and ‘Joget Angan Tak Sudah’ which got everyone in the stadium singing together.
The evening was hosted by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) by Sarawak’s very own renowned radio announcers, Sarawak FM Azman Johari and Red FM Syerifah Farah.
The marching of contingents from every participating state and Brunei Darussalam followed thereafter, starting with the contingent from the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur (WPKL) and ending with volunteers and officials of Sukma 2016.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem and wife Datin Patinggi Jamilah Anu arrived at the stadium at 8.55pm which was accompanied by a fireworks display as well as a performance of ‘Wawasan Bekikis Bulu Betis’ and one of the chief minister’s favorite songs, ‘The Young Ones’.
The audience then stood for the singing of the national and state anthem, before becoming mesmerized by the ‘Future Warriors of Sarawak’ dance performance which depicts the unity of all races in Sarawak towards celebrating the spirit of sportsmanship in the 18th Sukma.
The night was followed by a special performance entitled ‘Semangat Anak Sarawak’ by a total of 1,200 performers from UiTM Kampus Kota Samarahan Sarawak, Politeknik Kuching, SMK Matang Hilir, Chung Hua Middle School No. 3, The Dance Academy Kuching, and Artis Tari Negeri Sarawak. It was also made successful with the help from Bahagian Kebudayaan Kementerian Pelancongan Kesenian dan Kebudayaan, MTAC, JKKN, and the Dayak Cultural Foundation.
Next was the ‘Jalinan Semangat Kesukanan’ video presentation that showed highlights and best moments of the 18th Sukma Sarawak 2016.
The main objective for Sukma is to be a platform to produce a spirit of solidarity and goodwill between the athletes and the local community, in line with the slogan ‘Unity in Diversity’. It is a great platform for all young athletes.
Also attending the closing ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Khairy Jamaludin, Brunei’s High Commissioner to Malaysia Dato Paduka Alaihuddin Pehin Orang Kaya Digadong Seri Lela Dato Seri Utama Awg Mohd Taha, DUN speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani.