(Front row) Abdul Karim (centre), Snowdan (third right) and Dr Ong (third left) join Sarawak athletes and officials for a photo of the flag handing over ceremony. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: 16 athletes from Sarawak will compete in athletics, swimming and squash in the Arufara Games in Darwin, Australia from April 24 to May 4.
Sarawak has participated in the biennial Arafura Games since 1997.
This year the multi sports event hosted by the Northern Territory of Australia has attracted more than 1,500 athletes from over 40 countries including Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Czech Republic, England, Fiji, Guam, India, Indonesia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Macau, Malta, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, United Arab Emirates and the United States.
“We don’t know how strong the other countries’ athletes are, so we dare not set a specific target. Of course, we hope that the Sarawak contingent brings back some medals, but it would be a breakthrough even if it is just a chance to get up on the podium,” Tourism, Culture, Arts, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said during a press conference held in conjunction with the flag handing over ceremony to the Sarawak contingent at the Baitulmakmur Complex here yesterday.
Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan was also present.
Abdul Karim also revealed that Sarawak men and women’s volleyball teams and table tennis players will also be competing in Games as part of the Malaysian contingent.
Kong Chin Poh, Ngu Ing Biao, Ailenna Thipong, Vincent Lau, Michelle Wong, Jonah Chang, Grace Wong and Mandy Goh will compete in athletics.
The swimmers are Hii Puong Hou, Hii Puong Wei, Zachary Tan, Job Tan, Ryan Yii and Aden Yii while Nanthan Kueh and Chloe Chieng are the squash players.
Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee and sports development division manager Ahmad Rodzli Hashim will act as Sarawak contingent chef de mission and deputy chef de mission respectively.
The Arafura Games will feature 17 sports: athletics, badminton, basketball, basketball 3×3 Pro Hustle, beach volleyball, boxing, football, indoor volleyball, Muay Thai, netball, sailing, sepak takraw, squash, swimming, table tennis, tennis and weightlifting.