State contingent out to reclaim MSSM crown

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Kamariah (ninth right) handing the state colours to the Sarawak Contingent at the Meradong Community Hall yesterday. — Photo courtesy of MSS Sarawak

KUCHING: Sarawak has only one mission to accomplish at the Bandaraya Stadium in Penang from April 22-28 and that is to regain the overall crown of the Majlis Sukan Sekolah Malaysia (MSSM) Track and Field Championship.

As such, athletes and officials of the state contingent were urged to give their all for Sarawak to be crowned the champions again for the 20th time in the 59th edition of the championship.

“The MSSM Track and Field Championship is a good platform for the athletes to display their skills and capabilities and this is the top event for the Sarawak Schools Sports Council (MSS Sarawak) because we have a stable and consistent performance, having won it for 19 times,” said Sarawak Education Department director Rokayah Madon at the flag presentation ceremony at the Meradong Community Hall in Bintangor yesterday.

Her text of speech was read by Kuching District Education Officer Kamariah Said.

To achieve that mission, Rokayah hoped that all the officials, coaches and athletes concerned would strive hard to keep the Sarawak flag flying high and be crowned the overall champions again.

At the 58th edition in Terengganu last year, Sarawak finished in second place after losing to Selangor by a single gold after capturing 13 gold, 15 silver and 13 bronze medals when compared to Selangor’s 14 golds, nine silvers and eight bronzes.

Third were Johor with 11 golds, five silvers and 17 bronzes.

“I would like to see that all our athletes set winning the gold as their target in their events.

“The incentives for winning a gold is RM60, silver RM40 and bronze RM30 and RM50 for every new record. I believe that the contingent leader and team manager will also be giving out incentives,” said Rokayah.

Shouldering the state’s challenge in Penang are 84 athletes and 30 officials who have been engaged in a training camp at the Meradong Sports Complex from April 10-22.