Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah
KUCHING: Kuching City’s ability to organise major sporting events continues to gain the confidence of outsiders as next year it is entrusted to host the 21st Asia Masters Athletics Championship (AMAC) 2019 and the World Para Swimming Championships 2019.
Sarawak Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the AMAC is scheduled from Dec 2 to Dec 6 at the Sarawak Stadium, while the World Para Swimming Championships 2019 from July 29 until Aug 4 at the Sarawak Aquatic Centre here.
He said the AMAC championship is expected to attract over 3,500 entries from 30 counties worldwide, and it would be the third time for the Malaysian Masters Athletic Association (MMAA) to host the championships, as it had successfully hosted it in Kuala Lumpur in 1990 and 2010.
“With the support of the Sarawak state government and the strong team of committee members spearheading the bidding initiative last September, we managed to win the bid to bring this championships to our beautiful city of Kuching,” he said during the 21st AMAC 2019 and World Para Swimming Championships 2019 launching ceremony here today.
Meanwhile Abdul Karim said the World Para Swimming Championships is expected to attract some 800 athletes and 400 officials from 80 countries.
He said, apart from promoting equality and foster inclusiveness, this event also celebrates all athletes with different abilities and poised to showcase to the world what could be achieved with passion and determination.
Furthermore he said the event would not only benefit the local hospitality industry, but also expose Kuching in particular and Malaysia in general, to potential tourists worldwide.
Also present at the press conference were State Minister of Welfare, Well-being, Community, Women, Family and Child Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, State Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, president of the Paralympic Council Nasaruddin SM Nasimuddin, patron of the MMAA, Datuk Seri V. Pulainthiran and president of the MMAA, Datuk Seri Azman Samoan. – Bernama