Chef-de-mission calls on athletes to end title wait

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Snowdan (sixth left), flanked by Hii (on Snowdan’s left) and Ong, pose with the assistants chef-de-mission, athletes and officials. — Photo by Teo Chi Wei

KUCHING: Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan has challenged Sarawak athletes to repeat the feat of capturing the overall Sukma champion crown which they last won in Perak in 1994.

Sarawak contingent chef-de-mission also believed that with high fighting spirit, Sarawak are more than capable of achieving it this year.

“We will prove it to everybody that we can become the champions again in Perak, the state where we last won Sukma 24 years ago.

“I have confidence in our ‘warriors’ and believe that we can be the champions again,” he said at the launching of the Sarawak Sukma XIX Contingent Camp at Century Hotel yesterday.

The Balai Ringin assemblyman also told the athletes to hold firmly to the Iban/Dayak warrior cry ‘Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban’ as to strike fear into the hearts of the opponents.

According to him, Sarawak’s target of winning 77 gold medals can be realised if all athletes play their respective roles and compete with high spirit as a team.

“We go to Perak as a team from Sarawak and not as a club, association, Sibu, Miri or Kuching. Our Chief Minister has high hopes for us in this Sukma,” added Snowdan.

He went on to remind the athletes to stay alert especially on what they consume so as to avoid getting involved in doping.

“If you have problems, always discuss them with your team manager, coaches or assistant chef-de-mission,” he advised.

Snowdan is expecting tough challenge from Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Terengganu and Sabah for the overall champion title.

Also present were Tasik Biru assemblyman Dato Henry Harry Jinep, Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Hii Chang Kee, Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee and other assistants chef-de-mission.