No medal target yet but Sarawak out to regain Para Sukma title
KUCHING: Sarawak is not ready to reveal the number of medals it is targeting at the upcoming 21st Para Sukma) although it is aiming to dethrone reigning champions Sabah, said Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.
This is according to the Minister of Women, Children, and Community Welfare at a press conference following a preparation briefing for the Para Sukma held at her residence in Petra Jaya yesterday.
“As the host, Sarawak is determined to surpass its past performance and emerge victorious in the 21st Para Sukma from Sept 20 to 28.
“We must try out best to do better than Sabah if we want to become champions again.
“We will reveal the number of medal that we target later on after this, after everything is finalised,” she remarked.
The press conference was attended by Deputy Minister of Women, Children and Community Welfare Datuk Mohammad Razi Sitam, Deputy State Secretary Datu Hii Chang Kee and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Children and Child Welfare Colliner Gohe.
Meanwhile, the minister stressed the importance of learning from past defeats and addressing weaknesses.
“We have conducted a thorough post-mortem to analyse our shortcomings in the last Para Sukma. I believe our team is better prepared this time,” she said.
Before Sabah's triumph in the previous edition, there were no other overall champions at the Para Sukma apart from Sarawak which was top in the first 13 editions.
Sarawak is expected to field a contingent of 240 para athletes who will undergo screening on July 31.
The state plans to deploy 120 officials to support the athletes during the competition.
The 2024 Para Sukma in Sarawak will feature the 10 sports of Athletics, Swimming, Badminton, Table Tennis, Tenpin Bowling, Boccia, Lawn Bowls, Powerlifting, Archery and Chess.
“All competitions will take place in Kuching, with various venues across the city hosting the events,” Fatimah added.
The main venues are the Sarawak Stadium, Pandalela Rinong Aquatic Centre, BDC Sarawak Badminton Association Hall and Petra Jaya Multipurpose Arena.
There will be the Para Sukma Association Dinner on Sept 21, 2024 at Hikmah Exchange Kuching which will be attended by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.