KUCHING: The efforts and sacrifices of volunteers at the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA XXI) Sarawak 2024 deserve recognition as they are among the key contributors to the smooth running of the biennial Games.

Thanks to their hard work, officials and athletes from other state contingents have praised the organisation of the championship this time around, considering it to be the best edition ever held.

The SUKMA volunteers not only endure rain and heat but also sacrifice their time and energy for the success of the championship.

Taking on this heavy responsibility, the volunteers stationed at the Petra Jaya Rugby and Cricket Field are determined to ensure that the SUKMA 2024 cricket matches proceed without a hitch.

Since starting his volunteering duties at this pitch on August 13, Irfan Dehari, 37, acknowledged that the unpredictable weather has been a major challenge.

"As SUKMA volunteers, we are required to ensure that this Petra Jaya Rugby and Cricket Field is free from waterlogging so that it can be used for cricket matches.

"Working on this pitch, the weather plays a very important role, especially given the unpredictable conditions in Kuching right now. Sometimes it's hot, and other times it's raining.

"We have to ensure that the pitch is always dry and not waterlogged. When it rains and the pitch becomes waterlogged, the matches have to be stopped. At that point, we SUKMA volunteers have to drain the water and cover the pitch with canvas," he said when met while clearing rainwater from the pitch on Thursday.

Cricket is one of the 37 sports being contested at SUKMA XXI, staring on August 13 and concluding on the last day of the championship.

Meanwhile, another SUKMA volunteer, Wan Mustaqim Wan Bujang, 39, mentioned that the task is very challenging, but the volunteers work together as a team.

"If the pitch is waterlogged and wet, the matches cannot take place and will be postponed. This will delay the schedule and cause issues for the competing athletes.

"For this reason, we are willing to endure the rain and heat to ensure that the cricket matches can proceed. Fevers and body aches are common and must be faced together,” he said.

The Petra Jaya Rugby and Cricket Field is a new venue built specifically for SUKMA XXI.

Previously, Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the pitch will be upgraded after SUKMA to include spectator seating and to construct a building next to the pitch, similar to a stadium. -UKASnews