People queuing at the Sarawak Stadium to collect entry tickets for the Sukma opening ceremony. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: Long queues are not deterring local fans from getting their hands on free tickets for the opening ceremony of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak that are being distributed free for two days which started yesterday.
Food trader Rafidah Borda, 45, was willing to skip a day of work just to show up at 7am from Petrajaya to get four free tickets so that she and her relatives can support the Games that are being hosted in her home state.
The opening ceremony is on Aug 17 but a few sports have started early. In fact, wushu will award winners even before the Games officially starts.
“Sukma is rarely held here, so I want to show my support, otherwise I don’t know when I’ll get the chance to watch it in person again,” she said after getting her tickets at 11.30am yesterday.
The badminton fan added that she was proud that Sarawak was hosting the Games and expressed hope that Sarawak athletes would emerge champions.
Housewife Siti Nurbayah Rabu, 40, shared that she had to queue for about four hours to get tickets to watch the opening ceremony with her husband and children, adding that she would be cheering on her child who is participating in the Silambam event.
“I’m very excited to watch the Games and see my child competing with my own eyes,” she said.
The Sarawak authorities had previously issued a statement announcing that 7,500 free tickets for the opening ceremony at Sarawak Stadium on Aug 17 would be distributed.
The Sukma will take place from Aug 17-24, with 37 sports being contested and involve nine divisions – Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri. — Bernama
