Azlan (fourth left) presents a memento to Adenan (fourth right) during the courtesy call. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: Perlis, host of Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) XVII, stands ready to receive about 9,500 participants comprising athletes, officials, technical officers and volunteers from May 24 to June 4.
Perlis Menteri Besar Azlan Man said most competition venues are fully ready while the aquatic centre, badminton hall, squash hall and golf course are into the final phase of preparation.
“I have got the guarantee from the contractors who are doing the upgrading works that by the end of April, all these venues will be ready,” he told reporters after leading a delegation to pay a courtesy call on Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
Also present were Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, Assistant Sports Minister and head of Sarawak Sukma contingent Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Perlis State Secretary Romli Dai and Perlis Sports Exco member Abdul Jalil Saad.
Azlan said the courtesy call by his delegation was to officially invite Adenan, Sarawak contingent and fans to attend the 2014 Sukma.
“In general, we discussed cooperation in sports because sports is not only about looking for new talents among Malaysians that can be featured at national, regional or internationational levels but also sports as a platform to create unity among Malaysians,” he added.
As the games will coincide with Gawai, Mawan said a small-scale Gawai celebration will be held on June 1 at Restoren Terapung (Ocean Glow) Hotel Brasmana in Kuala Perlis for state athletes and those from other contingents.
“We have already extended our invitation to the Perlis Menteri Besar and other state contingents to join us in the Gawai celebration,” he continued.
“It will be the first time for me, excos and the people of Perlis. This celebration is something quite unique,” said Azlan in response to the invitation.
The Sarawak contingent will be having a camp from May 20 to 24 at Unimas where the flag presentation ceremony will take place on May 21.
Sarawak will be sending a total of 500 participants comprising 362 athletes, 84 officials and 54 secretariat staff.
Sarawak, which is targeting 55 gold medals this time, will contest in 22 of the 24 sports during the two-week games in Perlis.
The state athletes will be flying to Perlis on May 22 and 23, and will return on June 5.
A thanks-giving and incentive presentation ceremony will be held on June 6 in Kuching upon their return.
Sukma XVII Perlis is offering a total of 396 gold, 396 silver and 473 bronze medals.