Dr Rahman seated (centre) chairing the meeting with the organising committees of Sopma XIX Games at his ministry. Dr Ong is at left.
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, on behalf of the state government, has approved an allocation of RM2.2 million as budgeted to ensure smooth running of the Malaysia Deaf Games XIX (Sopma XIX Games) from Sept 30-Oct 7.
Assistant Minister of Welfare and Community Well-Being Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said the chief minister has shown his overall leadership quality for Sarawak and wants the best for Sarawak to be successful host of the games for the first time.
“This news has injected more spirit towards hosting of the games and not only that, the Sopma Games has won the support from various top leaders and authority in the state,” he said, before chairing the meeting to look at issues arising before the games commences at his ministry here yesterday.
At the meeting, the organising committees had among others sorted out accommodation for some 613 athletes, volunteers, the opening and closing ceremonies, the budget for officials, the sporting venues, transportation, technical support and personnel to look after each sporting event, management of crowd control which is expected to push 7,000 and promotional materials.
Sarawak’s contingent of 130 athletes and officials will be staying at Merdeka Palace Hotel and the rest of athletes from other states at various selected hotels in the city.
The athletes will compete in four sports: badminton, football, tenpin bowling and Track and Field.
The last Sopma Games was held in June 2014 in Melaka.
Also present at the meeting were the permanent secretary to the Ministry of Welfare,Women and Community Well-being, Datin Megir Gumbek, Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee and others from various government agencies.