Abang Johari (standing, sixth right) hands over the cash incentives to a representative of Sarawak Sukma bowling squad. Abdul Karim stands at sixth left, while Snowdan is on Abang Johari’s left.
KUCHING: The Sarawak government has approved a piece of land in Petra Jaya near here for the development of sports facilities.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, in disclosing this, said he had agreed to allocate the state land next to the present Sarawak Sports Complex, to be a part of the complex area.
He added that the government had also put aside some allocations to upgrade and build sports facilities within the complex area, as Sarawak strives to achieve its vision of becoming a sports powerhouse in Malaysia.
“The Sarawak government will also study and consider providing the necessary equipment for the greater development of sports, (in) that we are going to compete in Sukma (Malaysia Games).
“We are aware that to excel in sports to highest level, we must have a sports complex that is conducive to training,” he said at the handover of cash incentives to Sarawak athletes here yesterday.
A total of RM331,000 was given out to Sarawak athletes who bagged gold, silver and bronze medals in the recent Sukma XIX.
At Sukma 2018 hosted by Perak, Sarawak collected 42 gold, 36 silver and 60 bronze medals to finish fourth overall.
Bowling and athletics emerged as the best performers with seven gold medals each. In terms of cash incentives, bowling received the highest – at RM73,000, followed by ‘pencak silat’ and athletics, which received RM37,000 and RM29,000, respectively.
Abang Johari also reminded the athletes about the ‘three prerequisites’, should they want to pursue a career in sports.
He said firstly, their minds must be focused on their objectives.
He then talked about the ‘very high discipline’ required for success.
“Thirdly, is the esprit de corps – that is we work together as a team. On this matter, the slogan ‘agi idup agi ngelaban’ is still there among you. This spirit has been the basis for you to pursue victory,” he said.
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan were also present.