State plans to maximise legacy of 18th Sukma

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Adenan (left) handing over the Sukma flag to Zambry while Ahmad Zahid (second left) and Khairy look on. — Photos by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

Adenan (left) handing over the Sukma flag to Zambry while Ahmad Zahid (second left) and Khairy look on. — Photos by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

KUCHING: The state government has a management plan in place to maximise the legacy of the 18th Malaysia Games (Sukma Sarawak), said State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani.

He revealed that the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Solidarity and the National Sports Council (MSN) together with the associations have plans to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the facilities built for Sukma in developing the state’s athletes.

He said a well-managed facility is pivotal in developing athletes.

“As the Games come to a close, it is now the beginning of a new challenge for Sarawak to ensure each facility serves its purpose; to host tournaments and provide a place for sports and recreational activities. We will be fully geared, that is why we should not rest on our laurels.

We need to start doing something.

“Now, that the associations have a ‘home’ through their respective sports facilities, there isn’t any reason for the associations to say that they do not have a venue and for that I urge all the associations to be active.

“Maintenance-wise, the state government will appoint a state-owned company to manage all these facilities,” he told a press conference at the Sukma Media Centre (Aquatic Centre) here yesterday.

“We have to really make use of all the facilities and that the facilities are up to mark in terms of maintenance. That is our challenge, that is why this Sukma is just the beginning, it is not the end.”

He said with the Games coming to a close, the new slogan is ‘Now the Challenge Begins’ (for the development of athletes), comparing it to the war-cry for the Games – ‘On Your Mark, Get Set, Go’.