Sarawak Games slated in January to scout talent for Sukma

State Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah delivering his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Tuesday (Nov 28). - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star

KUCHING: The Sarawak Games (Suksar) will be held in January to scout talent and prepare state athletes for the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) next year.

State Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Suksar would involve 13 sports, including weightlifting, cycling, basketball, volleyball, hockey, sepak takraw and martial arts.

He said 1,800 athletes from four zones across Sarawak would compete in the Suksar games in Sibu.

"Suksar will provide early exposure for Sukma 2024 potential medallists, explore sports associations for organising competitions and prepare technical officers for certain sports," he said when winding up matters related to his ministry at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Tuesday (Nov 28).

On Sukma 2024, which Sarawak will host from Aug 17 to 24, Abdul Karim said RM144.6mil had been allocated under the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review for ongoing and new projects and upgrading of sports facilities.

He said this included ongoing work on a wushu training and competition centre, scheduled to be completed in June next year.

"The construction of the wushu centre is important since currently there is no proper place for the purpose of training," he said, adding that Sarawak had 30 wushu athletes who had competed at Sukma and at the international level.

Abdul Karim also said a cricket ground was being prepared for Sukma, with the first stage scheduled to be completed at the end of the year.

He said the second stage of the project would include turfing, fencing, drainage, roadworks and mechanical and electrical works.

In addition, he said the Sarawak Sports Village would be completed early next year to accommodate 500 athletes.