Sabah eye overall champions title in Malaysia Deaf Games
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah have set their eyes on regaining the overall title when the 20th edition of the Malaysia Deaf Games (Sopma) gets underway in Perak from October 15 to 20.
To achieve this goal, Youth and Sports Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Hj Awang Damit Hj Awang Anak has set a 14-gold target for the state contingent to reclaim the overall champions title.
“Sabah were the overall champions when Sopma was held in Malacca in 2014...we won 10 gold then but two years later in Sarawak, we settled for second overall finish despite winning 11 gold medals.
“This year, the state contingent is set a 14-gold target and we hope that will be enough to win us the overall champions title,” said Awang Damit to reporters during the handing over ceremony of the State Flag, which was received by Chef-deMission Terrance Pudin here yesterday.
Sabah Association for the Deaf president Spencer Soo and a representative from the Federal Youth and Sports Department, Sabah were among those present.
Meanwhile, Sabah will be sending a 58-member contingent comprising 46 athletes, nine officials and three coaches.
The state will be taking part in three out of the five sports contested in the multi-sport event for deaf communities in the country.
The sports Sabah will be involved in are football, athletics and tenpin bowling while opting out of the badminton and futsal events.
“I hope football will win the only gold on offer and for our ‘gold deposit’ athletics, we are eyeing seven gold and another six from tenpin bowling to make it 14 gold in all.
“I want the athletes to go all out in their respective events. Do not fear your opponents but show them we are very determined to win,” added Awang Damit.
Terrance, who is also Sabah Sports Council director, pledged to do his best to motivate the athletes in their 14-gold quest.
“Another important aspect is discipline...athletes must always observe it throughout the games for the good of Sabah image,” he said.
The 20th edition of Sopma is organised by the Malaysian Deaf Sports Association (MSDeaf).