SEMATAN: The Sarawak Contingent for the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA XXI) Sarawak 2024 needs to take advantage of its host status and pursue the 'golden' dream to be crowned overall champion of the upcoming biennial sports event.

Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said, the state government wants athletes to use SUKMA as a stage to create Sarawak's name as a sports powerhouse.

According to him, although it is not easy to achieve success, it is not impossible if the Sarawak athletes display a high fighting spirit.

"High fighting spirit will distinguish our athletes from athletes of other states, and it needs to be in line with the mental strength and commitment to make a name for themselves and win the event they are competing in.

"Performing on one's own court needs to be used as a strength to ensure that the target of being crowned overall champion of this edition of SUKMA is realised," he said during the launching ceremony of the Sarawak Warrior Camp 2024 at Putra Sentosa Retreat Camp here, on Monday.

Dato Sri Abdul Karim stressed that the Sarawak contingent need not worry about incentives because what is most important is to promote the name of this Land of the Hornbill.

"Sarawak athletes don't have to worry about the remuneration or incentives that will be given, if they are evaluated with pride in the name of our ‘Ibu Pertiwi’, it gives more meaning than the reward," he explained.

A total of 300 athletes who will represent Sarawak in the 21st SUKMA have participated in Phase 1 of the Sarawak Warrior Camp 2024 programme which starts from May 7 to 9, while another 300 athletes will participate in Phase 2 from May 9 to 12, at the same venue. 

Also present were Permanent Secretary to the Sarawak Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Morshidi Fredrick, Sarawak Sports Corporation Chief Executive Officer and Sarawak State Sports Council Director, Awang Putrayusrie Awang Redzuan, and other officials. -UKASnews