S’wak highlight welfare, safety of athletes at Sukma

KUCHING: Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan is urging the 19th Malaysia Games (Sukma XIX) organisers to consistently look into the welfare and safety of the athletes who are participating in the biennial games.

The Sarawak Contingent Chefde-Mission (CDM) said the needs and comfort of the thousands of participating athletes should be met and monitored closely throughout the competition.

According to him, the organisers should also be vigilant in ensuring the quality of lodging, food and transportation facilities that are needed to be well-maintained for the comfort of the athletes who are staying within the city and in the outskirts of Perak.

“In our first CDM meeting held this morning, I have voiced out the views on the quality aspects of the various athletes’ needs that must be monitored and maintained carefully so that no problems will be encountered during their stay for the Sukma XIX period,” said Snowdan.

Also present at the meeting in Ipoh was Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee.

Snowdan said the journey to the competition venues was also quite far from Ipoh city and therefore the organisers should be concerned with the safety aspects of transportation.

“We have already warned athletes to always be disciplined and follow the instructions so as to avoid any problems in view of the logistical challenges we are facing here,” added Snowdan who has already started visiting the various teams already in Perak.

At the same time, the assistant minister also made an official verbal complaint on the incident where the bus driver assigned to transport Sarawak’s football squad was found to have no valid driving license.

Due to the problem, the Sarawak squad had to wait at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) for three long hours before leaving for Tanjung Manjung, Perak.

“We have reprimanded the organisers but the problem has been amicably settled after they officially apologised to us on the recent incident,” he said.

Meanwhi le, Snowdan also visited the Sarawak women’s badminton squad during their first group match held at the Perak Badminton Arena located at the Ipoh City Council Sports Complex ( MBI) yesterday evening.

Sarawak are playing against Negeri Sembilan with the main singles player Wong Li Ching playing first while Erika Vallensia will partner with Flora Fong Xin Jie in the first doubles match.