Work doubly hard for Sukma 2018 — minister
KOTA KINABALU: Youth and Sports Minister Frankie Poon has urged all sports associations to double their efforts in preparation for the Malaysia Games which is happening in Perak, this September.
In making the call, Poon said he wanted all sports associations to do their best in preparing for SUKMA so that Sabah can have the best chance of winning gold medals at the 19th edition of the biennial sports carnival.
Poon made these remarks when receiving a courtesy call from Dr Charanjit Singh Gill who led a delegation from the Sabah Hockey Association to the minister’s office in Wisma Muis, on Tuesday.
Charanjit, who is president of SHA was accompanied by secretary-general Avtar Singh and other supreme council members. Also present was permanent secretary to the Youth and Sports Ministry Datuk Awang Damit Anak.
Sabah are notably behind other states in terms of SUKMA achievements but remained a powerhouse in several disciplines like archery, cycling, sepaktakraw, karate and lawn bowls among others.
Hockey is a sport that Sabah have previously shone in, although achievements in recent SUKMA outings have not been so rosy.
Nonetheless, triumphs and victories in junior tournaments elsewhere outside the SUKMA scene have proven great potential for Sabah to reclaim their status in the sport in future.
Towards this end, Poon urged SHA to focus on development efforts particularly on junior players while also not neglecting their SUKMA aspirations.
“I want SHA to intensify their efforts to develop hockey and to produce good athletes that can excel and bring honour and glory to the State,” he said, adding that it is good to get the players to start young.
Meanwhile, Charanjit briefed the minister that 18 players would be representing Sabah in SUKMA this year.
Charanjit said Sabah would continue to take part in the men’s and women’s categories and that they hoped to do better than at the previous SUKMA in Sarawak, two years ago.