Abdul Karim tries out archery as Fatimah (right) looks on.
(From third left) Fatimah and Abdul Karim join the others in a photo-call.
DALAT: Dalat constituency has a big dream to produce more competitive athletes for the state, its assemblywoman Datuk Fatimah Abdullah proclaimed.
“All this while, schools in Dalat have produced athletes who are among the best even at international level,” she said.
“We are able to produce champions not just in division, not just in Mukah, not just in the state or national, but also internationally, but people do not know that because when they represent the state, they do not carry the name of SMK Dalat, or SMK Oya, etc,” she explained.
She hailed Dalat as the jewel of the state in athletics when officiating at `Dalat Champ’ programme cum the closing of 2017 Identity Programme at SMK Dalat last Saturday.
The same function saw the presentation of Yayasan Sarawak School Uniforms vouchers.
Fatimah, who is Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister, said Dalat constituency, despite lacking in sports facilities, is able to produce outstanding athletes and sports personalities because of the dedication and passion of the schools and the education office.
“The students work hard, and the parents support,” she added.
According to her, Dalat has been producing champions since the 1980s when she was a principal of a school there.
“When I was elected the assemblywoman in this constituency in 2001, I’ve continued to support SMK Dalat to ensure the school is able to produce athletes for SUKMA and international games,” she said.
Fatimah later appealed to the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who was also at the function, to assist the schools in Dalat to get more sports facilities.
“To be the champ, we need potential children. To be the champ, we need coaches. To be the champ, we need training facilities.
“Facilities are the thing that only the minister-in-charge can help us,” she pointed out.
Meanwhile, she encouraged the schools to produce a niche area in various co-curriculum activities and in sports.
“For example, during my time as a teacher in Dalat, kayaking was among our fortes, but that had to be let go due to the crocodile problem in the area.
“Today, hockey is among the strongest,” she said.
She also hoped that the ministry could consider putting Rumbia Carnival in the tourism calendar.
She said Rumbia Carnival can help to revive the Rumbia industry, a popular activity of the Melanau.