Don’t mess with him: A great sports figure

KUCHING: Sarawak has lost a great sports figure with the demise of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem at the Kota Samarahan Heart Centre on Wednesday afternoon.

The late Adenan, who is fondly referred to as ‘ Tok Nan’, started contributing to sports as the Minister of Social Development from 1992-1998.

Under his leadership, Adenan brought about changes in the development of athletes as well as sports infrastructure.

He continued with the agenda on sports development when he took over the chief minister’s post on February 28, 2014, despite 53 goals he aimed to accomplish during his tenure in the nonsports arena.

Among his biggest contribution to the state sports was the organisation of the 18th Sukma ( Malaysia Games) here, where close to RM400 million was spent on upgrading and the building of new facilities.

He always stuck to the vision was to make Sarawak a sports powerhouse and it is proven by the state government’s commitment in setting the Key Result Areas as one of the goals.

According to former Assistant Minister of Sports Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Adenan was very committed person and strongly supported sports development in the state.

He always strived with full commitment to turn Sarawak into a Sukma powerhouse in Malaysia. We have indeed lost a great leader who is well respected.

“He was formerly the Minister of Social Development and involved in the preparation for a few Malaysia Games ( Sukma). He always strived with ful l commitment to turn Sarawak into a Sukma powerhouse in Malaysia. We have indeed lost a great leader who is well respected,” he added.

Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee, who also heads the Sarawak State Sports Council, shared the sentiment, saying that Adenan was linked to the state sports development especially in ensuring that the organising of Sukma XVIII ( last year) was a sterling success. Which it was, hailed as the best ever by national figures.

“The chief minister (Adenan) had given much support, motivation and spirit to the athletes during Sukma XVIII. It is a big loss to Sarawak and Malaysia,” said Ong.

Football legend Awang Mahyan Awang Mohamad was sad with the passing away of Adenan, saying that Adenan was a humble leader and a person with great sporting spirit.

According to Mahyan, Adenan was a big fan of football and had contributed significantly to the Ngap Sayot era where the former was the state’s head coach.

“He has not only supported football with money but also spent much of his precious time on football and I can still remember he used to follow our team when we played away,” he added.

Mahyan, who is also president of the Sarawak Lawn Bowls Association, said Adenan would be remembered as the man who initiated the idea of building a lawn bowls stadium in the efforts to strengthen the sport in Sarawak.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association president Dato Patrick Liew said the state has lost a great, outspoken and caring leader.

“He is very passionate with the development of sports and his expectations are always high.

“He wants the athletes to do well and he also wants the NGOs to manage their sports associations well. In the last Sukma, Adenan gave the tall order to all sports associations that he wants us all to be the best, not only in winning the Games but also to be the best host, so that visitors from other states can bring back good memories,” said Liew.

As for tennis, Liew said the chief minister had always been supportive of the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Cup ITF Junior Circuit championships.

“He g ave u s wo r d s o f encouragement and wants us to put Sarawak on the world tennis map, which in turn would promote sports tourism,” added Liew.

Amateur ( Tenpin) Bowling Association of Sarawak president Sunny Si also felt very sad for the loss of a great political leader who can go to any sports venue and be part of the team.

“To me, he is the Father of Sarawak Sports. As far as bowling is concerned, he truly believes in our spirit and he held no reservations to get to know us and really understands what the sport is all about.

“He understood our struggle and hardships and (was) our number one supporter for many years and what he said to us during Sukma was inspirational. We owe our success to him and we will miss him,” said Si.

As a parting word, his battle cry “Don’t mess with me” should be remembered in the deafening silence of grief.

Adenan’s legacy is not just for the sporting powers to uphold but to emulate – his bravado to rise above race, religion and politics is a ringing endorsement of the strongest tenet in sports.

And for those with the courage, to stand up against the establishment when the very idea is “stupid”.

Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Assistant Minister for Tourism