Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (centre) presenting a state government incentive of RM8,000 to power lifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin for his gold medal performance at last year's Commonwealth Games.
KUCHING: Sarawak is prepared to host the next Malaysia Games (Sukma) in 2024 if no other state wants to organise it, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The Sarawak Premier said he was informed by state Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah that other states had indicated they were unwilling to host the Games during a meeting of all Youth and Sports exco members last month.
"At the meeting, Abdul Karim said Sarawak was willing to host Sukma 2024 but he would have to refer the matter to the Premier and state Cabinet first.
"When he brought it up to me, I told him don't worry, go ahead.
"If Sarawak is given the opportunity to host Sukma, we will accept it," Abang Johari said.
He was speaking at the presentation of state government incentives to Sarawak athletes who won medals at Sukma 2022, the Commonwealth Games 2022, Para Asean Games 2022 and SEA Games 2021 here on Thursday (Feb 10).
However, Abang Johari said Sarawak should be given sufficient notice in order to make the necessary preparations.
"Give us time because we need to upgrade our sports facilities," he said.
He added that Sukma was important for the development of sports to the international level.
"We hope to train not only Sukma champions but Olympic champions as well," he said.
Abang Johari later presented incentives totalling over RM700,000 to the successful athletes.
This included RM510,250 to Sukma athletes, RM68,000 to SEA Games athletes and RM109,000 to Para Asean Games athletes.
For the Commonwealth Games, powerlifter Bonnie Bunyau Gustin received RM8,000 for winning a gold medal while table tennis players Karen Lyne Dick and Alice Chang Li Sian received RM10,000 and RM5,000 for two silvers and one silver medal respectively.
