BY NATASHA JEE & ALEXANDRA LORNA
KUCHING: The 21st Para Malaysia Games (SUKMA) 2024 officially kicked off with a vibrant and colourful opening ceremony.
Sarawak first hosted the Para SUKMA in 1996, followed by a second time in 2016, and this year marks the state’s third time as the host.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar was present to officiate at the official opening ceremony of the Games at the Unity Stadium here last night.
Accompanying Wan Junaidi was his wife, Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi.
Upon the arrival of Wan Junaidi and Fauziah at 8.30 pm, the stadium was filled with lively music and captivating stage performances.
The 15 participating contingents then proudly paraded with their respective flags, representing Sarawak, Terengganu, Perlis, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Perak, Kedah, Pahang, Johor, Sabah, Melaka, Pulau Pinang, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
As the Sarawak contingent paraded, the crowds erupted in loud cheers of ‘Ohh Haa’, showing their enthusiastic support.
It then continued with the opening prayer by Sarawak Grand imam Datuk Mustapha Kamal Ahmad Fauzi.
The event proceeded with the presentation of speeches by Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh and Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, and continued with the raising of the Sarawak flag, ‘Ibu Pertiwi’.
Another highlight of the night was Sarawakian para-powerlifting champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin leading the torch relay.
The Para SUKMA, which runs from Sept 22 to 28, features 10 sports with 328 events being contested.
Under the theme ‘Semangat Perpaduan Membara’ (The Burning Spirit of Unity), the sports that will be contested are Athletics, Swimming, Badminton, Table Tennis, Tenpin Bowling, Lawn Bowls, Chess, Powerlifting, Archery, and Boccia.
To ensure the smooth running of the Games, 27 technical committees have been set up, accommodating 1,279 para athletes and 719 technical officers.
Among those present were Yeoh, Abang Johari, Minister of Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, and Para SUKMA Sarawak Chef De Mission Datuk Muhammad Razi Sitam.
