KUCHING: Sarawak is wasting no time in building on the momentum of its excellent performance at the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA), with immediate plans to sustain and enhance its sports achievements.
Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah revealed that post-mortems are already being conducted to pinpoint areas for improvement.
“It’s essential to start preparing immediately. We need continuous competitions to sustain momentum – waiting until the next major tournament is not an option,” Abdul Karim said in a special interview in ‘Triumphant Sarawak’, a coffee table book documenting Sarawak’s triumph at SUKMA XXI.
Abdul Karim highlighted several key initiatives that are in the pipeline to keep Sarawak’s athletes competitive and ready for future challenges.
“Events like the Borneo Games, inter-divisional games, and other grassroots tournaments will help us develop talent consistently and ensure our athletes stay sharp,” he said.
Sarawak’s dominance at this year’s SUKMA was unparalleled, clinching the overall championship title with an impressive tally of 76 gold, 55 silver, and 70 bronze medals.
The state also achieved remarkable success at the 21st Para SUKMA, securing 82 gold, 53 silver, and 74 bronze medals for a total of 209 medals, solidifying its reputation as a sports powerhouse.
Abdul Karim stressed the importance of sustaining this winning momentum, noting that consistent efforts at all levels – from grassroots to elite athletes – are key to maintaining Sarawak’s sporting excellence.
“We need to nurture a culture of continuous improvement and participation,” he added, stressing the state’s commitment to long-term sports development.
With Sarawak setting its sights on co-hosting the 2027 SEA Games, these initiatives align perfectly with the state’s ambition to further elevate its standing in the regional and international sports arena.
