File photo of talent identification exercise for cycling held in Sibu recently.
KUCHING: Sukan Sarawak or SukSar, which is revived after a lapse of 27 years, has taken a new meaning in Malaysian sports following states like Selangor, Terengganu and Sabah which have also organised their own state-level multi-sports games.
SukSar, which is to be held every two years, is essentially a talent search for athletes to eventually represent the state.
Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee has urged all the four zones to look out for potential athletes to develop them into future champions.
Divided into four zones, with each zone under the Resident’s office, athletes from the Northern, Central, Western and Southern zones will compete in 14 sports while three sports will be contested among Para athletes.
The Southern zone comprises Kuching, Serian and Samarahan; the Western zone (Betong, Sri Aman and Sarikei); the Central zone (Sibu, Mukah and Kapit); and Northern zone (Miri, Bintulu and Limbang).
Sports such as handball, netball, karate, judo, rugby, petanque, lawn bowls, muaythai, diving and cycling have not been competed in statewide competitions except for 1990 and Suksar will provide the avenue and exposure for their athletes.
As Judo is only confined to Kuching with the Sarawak Judo Association having one feeder club in the Chung Hua Middle School No. 1, organisers will cast lots among the athletes to divide them as to who will represent the Northern, Western or Central zone.
The same format applies to sports like karate where the sport is confined to Miri. Until recently, there is a centre established by the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) in Kuching. The centre took in mostly Tang Soo Do students to convert them to karate, according to MSNS coach Clarence Leong.
These exponents will fight against their Miri exponents.
The combat sport of muaythai which is mainly concentrated in Kuching will also have its members divided into teams representing the other zones.
Handball, which is relatively new, will hopefully gain greater popularity after its inclusion in Suksar.
Over 1,000 athletes will take part in the 2017 SukSar.