KUCHING, Feb 21 — Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the state was all but certain to host the biennial Malaysian Games (Sukma), the country’s biggest sporting event, next year.
He said all the states and Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeo have agreed for Sarawak to stage the event despite it not being the state’s turn.
He said the state government is awaiting official confirmation as the matter must still receive the federal Cabinet’s approval.
While unlikely, he said the prime minister could, for instance, decide that the games should be held elsewhere.
“I hope it is not going to happen in that way,” he told reporters after launching the inaugural Borneo International Garden Expo Sarawak (GIGEXS) 2023 here.
He recalled it was Yeo who suggested for Sarawak to be the host on the condition that all other states declined.
He said Sarawak will not have any problem with the facilities as it had just hosted the Sukma in 2016.
He said what is required is for the facilities at the sports complexes in Kuching, Simanggang, Sibu, Betong and Miri to be refurbished or upgraded.
“The toilets, running tracks and fields need to be upgraded first before we can stage Sukma,” he said.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg has already pledged to allocate funds to improve the facilities, he noted.
Karim said Sukma in Sarawak would not be confined to Kuching, adding that certain events will be staged in other towns, including boxing in Simanggang and badminton and volleyball in Sibu and sepak takraw in Miri.
“I am looking at Sukma from the perspective of developing the sport. The moment it is held in Sarawak, there will be a lot of interest and excitement,” he said.
“Sukma is also good for the tourism industry because the athletes from other states will need to go around and enjoy the food that we have,” Karim said.
He said the hotel industry will also benefit from Sukma as the athletes will be putting up at the hotels.
