JOHOR BAHRU: SUKMA XXI Sarawak 2024, set to take place from August 17 to 24, is poised to be the largest in its history.
Described as larger than the Olympic Games, Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that over 12,000 athletes will gather in nine divisions across the state to compete in 37 sports.
He noted that a total of 13 states, including Federal Territories and Brunei Darussalam, have confirmed their participation in 484 sporting events.
"This marks Sarawak's third time hosting, following the years 1990, 2016, and now 2024. This edition of SUKMA is the largest in history, with 484 events contested across various sports.
"For Para SUKMA, there are 10 sports with a total of 361 events," he said while leading the delegation of SUKMA and Para SUKMA XXI Sarawak 2024 to pay a courtesy visit on Johor Menteri Besar, Dato Onn Hafiz Ghazi at the Dato Ja’afar Muhammad Building in Johor Bahru on Wednesday.
Also present were Sarawak Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Sarawak Deputy State Secretary (Operation) who is also Chief Executive Officer of SUKMA & Para SUKMA XXI Sarawak 2024, Datu Hii Chang Kee, Permanent Secretary to the Sarawak Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datu Felicia Tan, Permanent Secretary to the Sarawak Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Morshidi Fredrick, as well as other state government officials.
Dato Sri Abdul Karim also highlighted Johor Darul Takzim as Sarawak's main challenger for the championship this year, considering their overall victory in the 20th edition of SUKMA held at Kuala Lumpur in 2022.
"Thanks to the Johor government for participating in all events. I understand that Johor will be sending a total of 931 athletes and officials to this championship," added Dato Sri Abdul Karim.
Regarding Para SUKMA, scheduled from September 20 to 28, he mentioned that all 10 sporting events will be held in the Kuching Division, involving 1400 athletes and 600 officials.
Earlier, Dato Onn Hafiz expressed gratitude to the Sarawak government for inviting Johor to participate in the upcoming SUKMA and Para SUKMA.
He stated that Johor also aims to replicate its success in winning the SUKMA in 2022, but believes that Sarawak as the host will provide fierce competition for the championship this time.
For the record, Johor is the eighth stop of the SUKMA and Para SUKMA XXI Sarawak 2024 delegation, following visits to Penang, Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang since April 22.
The delegation will continue its courtesy visit tour to Melaka and Negeri Sembilan tomorrow. -UKASnews
