MELAKA: The 21st edition of the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Sarawak from Aug 17-24 will be the biggest ever, with 37 sports and 484 events contested.
Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the Games will be held in nine of the 12 divisions in the state, namely Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri.
“A total of 25 working committees under the organising committee have been appointed and chaired by the Sarawak State Secretary to ensure preparations run smoothly.
“We expect about 13,000 athletes and officials to be involved this time, with the participation of all 13 states as well as the Federal Territories and Brunei,” he told reporters here today.
He said this after leading the 21st SUKMA and Para SUKMA delegation on a courtesy visit to Melaka Youth and Sports Development and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Committee chairman VP Shanmugam.
Also present were Sarawak Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah and Melaka Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Datuk Kalsom Nordin.
Elaborating, Abdul Karim said the Games villages will be opened at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) for the Kuching/Samarahan/Serian division; Desa Sanyan (Sibu division); Universiti Teknologi Mara Mukah (Mukah); Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu (Bintulu); and Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara (Miri).
Meanwhile, Shanmugam said Melaka will send 681 athletes and officials and will participate in 36 sports in the Sarawak SUKMA, with the one sport the state won't be competing in being volleyball due to the ongoing problems at the association level.
He added that Melaka will be gunning for gold in aquatics, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, muaythai and silat.
Meanwhile, later in Seremban, Abdul Karim said it would cost an estimated RM300 million to host the Sarawak SUKMA.
The cost, he added, included upgrading existing sports venues, organisation and logistics.
He said this after leading the Sarawak SUKMA delegation on a courtesy visit to Negeri Sembilan, where they were welcomed by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
Aminuddin said Negeri Sembilan will compete in 30 of the 37 sports and will send a total of 500 athletes and officials.
“For the SUKMA this time, we are targeting eyeing more than 19 gold medals and finishing among the top nine,” he said, adding that some of the sports they will be competing in included aquatics, squash, badminton, tenpin bowling, cycling, wushu, basketball, softball, tennis and football.
