Unimas host 4,500 Sukma athletes

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak ( Unimas) is home to 4,504 athletes (2,702 males, 1,836 females) from 15 states and neighbouring Brunei Darussalam for the 18th Sukma.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Solidarity Dato Sri Michael Manyin extended a warm Sarawak welcome to all of them yesterday.

“On behal f of the state of Sarawak, I welcome everyone of you to Sarawak, to Unimas as the sports village for Sukma 2016,” he said at the launching event held at DeTAR PUTRA Unimas.

“This is where you mix with each other to enhance unity and solidarity, especially among the youths,” he added to encourage interaction among the athletes.

Unimas vice- chancellor Prof Dato’ Dr Kadim Suaidi was also present to welcome the various contingents.

“You are making a history for your state and for your country and we are very proud to be part of your Sukma journey,” he said.

Unimas, he revealed, had underwent meticulous planning in the past two years to transform itself into the sports village today. The sports village is equipped with support teams to ensure safety and security within the 40 hectare campus.

“Next year, Unimas celebrates its 25th birthday and we are very happy to be able to mark the milestone birthday by hosting all of you here for Sukma 2016,” he added.

Among those present at the function were Sarawak’s chef de mission Datuk Karim Rahman Hamzah, state secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Assistant Minister of Solidarity Rosey Yunus, Malaysia Sports Council director- general Dato’ Ahmad Shapawi and deputy director Dato’ Jalil Abdullah. — by Jeremy Veno