All set for grand opening of 18th Sukma today

KUCHING: State secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani called on members of the public to arrive early and car pool for the opening ceremony of the 18th Sukma today.

The event at Stadium Sarawak, which has a capacity of 45,000, starts at 7pm.

He also announced that lucky draw numbers will be given to at the entrance of the stadium to attract more spectators.

Speaking at a press conference at the Sukma Media Centre located at the Aquatics Centre in Jalan Stadium on Thursday, he also announced that lucky draw numbers will be given out at the stadium entrance for prizes which include a Honda Jazz 1.5 (CVT), three Demak EX90 motorcycles, five Lerun Evo Race bicycles, four Acer laptops, Samsung LED televisions and Samsung J5 hand phones.

Some 5,000 athletes and another 5,000 school students will perform

So far preparations for the opening ceremony has been going smooth. Sarawakians involved in opening ceremony are enthusiastic in making this event not only a successful event, but a memorable one as well. Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani, State Secretary

at the ceremony.

A total of 220 vehicles, 120 of them buses ( including 25 RapidKL Buses), are deployed as transportation for participants.

“So far preparations for the opening ceremony has been going smooth. Sarawakians involved in opening ceremony are enthusiastic in making this event not only a successful event, but a memorable one as well,” Morshidi said.

In a related matter, he disclosed that Sukma games vi l lages would be launched on July 22 (yesterday) at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak ( Unimas) for Kuching and Samarahan, Kingwood Inn for Sibu and the National Youth Skills Training Institute ( IKBN) for Miri.

He also pointed out that the 18th edition of the national games is a non- smoking Sukma. Anyone caught smoking at any of the Sukma venues will slapped with a fi ne.

Also present during the press conference were National Sports Council ( MSN) director- general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail, Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee, Sukma secretariat coordinator Affandi Keli and Ministry of Social Development permanent secretary Kameri Affandi. — by Matthew Umpang

Manyin (third left) punches the air to boost Sarawak athletes during the launch of the Sukma sports village in Unimas yesterday. Also seen are Morshidi (second left) and Rosey (left). — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi

Morshidi (centre) during the press conference at the Sukma Media Centre on Thursday. Also seen are Ahmad Shapawi (second, left), Ong (left), Affandi (right) and Kameri (second right).