CM hands over State Flag to Sukma contingent
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal has told the Malaysia Games (Sukma)-bound Sabah athletes to compete with a positive mindset.
He said the athletes must have in them such qualities in order to enter competitions and hopefully, with the preparation done, it would produce the desired results in Sukma which Perak will be hosting from September 14 to 22.
Shafie also reminded the athletes to always have confidence in their ability.
“We must not feel inferior just because our opponents look physically strong.
“As long as we have the right mindset, self confidence in our life and to use our strength to our advantage, our athletes will excel not only in Sukma but also at other national and international level competitions,” he said to loud cheers from those in attendance.
Having said that, Shafie also hoped that the state athletes will not be motivated solely by financial incentives in their quest for medals in Sukma.
Instead, he urged the athletes must give their utmost best to bring glory to Sabah as well as for the good of their career.
“I don’t want to touch on incentive because what is important is for them to carry the state challenge and not just for the sake of being in Sukma or eyeing rewards for their efforts.
“We have to change such thinking (chasing incentive). Athletes must be proud when selected and do their best to bring glory to Sabah,” he said when approached later.
Shafie said this during the handing over ceremony of the State Flag, which was received by Sabah Sukma Chef-de-Mission Arunarnsin Taib, who was also Assistant Youth and Sports Minister.
Among those present were State Secretary Datuk Hashim Paijan, Youth and Sports Minister Frankie Poon, the ministry permanent secretary Datuk Awan Damit Awang Anak, Sabah Sports Council director Terrance Pudin and Sabah Sports Board chairman Datuk Louis Rampas alongside general manager Datuk Penyuki Matta.
Meanwhile, Poon revealed Sabah have retained the 40-gold target set at the end of the last Sukma hosted by Sarawak in 2016.
He believed Sabah were capable of achieving the target based on their preparations, including applying sports science and overseas exposure in their build up to the Games.
“We have evaluated the athletes and observed them. Their performance have been good and they are really doing well in their practices.
“We use a lot of sports science (in our preparation) and you will be surprised with our boys and girls.
“I will not say much (now) but time will tell... we’ll do our best,” Poon said.
Sabah will be sending its biggest contingent ever to Sukma with 424 athletes, comprising 235 males and 189 female athletes.
The state will compete in 23 sports, of which 14 are compulsory sports and the rest elective sports.
The sports are aquatic (diving and swimming), badminton, cycling, men’s football (including men and women futsal), lawnbowls, artistic gymnastics, hockey, karate, archery, athletics, pencak silat, sailing, squash, tenpin bowling, weightlifting, golf, judo, muaythai, petanque, rugby, sepak takraw, taekwondo and boxing.
Sabah will also take part in tennis but it falls under the sports exhibition category where medals will not be included in the Sukma medal tally. Overall, Perak Sukma will offer 427 gold, 427 silver and 546 bronze medals from 29 sports contested.
For the record, Sabah finished seventh overall in Sarawak Sukma 2016 with 25 gold, 37 silver and 38 bronze medals.
Sabah’s best-ever medal haul came in 2002 when the state hosted the biennial games with 28 gold, 38 silver and 42 bronzes while their bestever showing as non-host was in Kedah Sukma 2006 with 26 gold, 26 silver and 29 bronzes.