Minister rallies fighting spirit of young athletes
You will carry the name of Sarawak to hunt for glory at the MSSM Championships later. May the fighting spirit of ‘Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban’ and the chant of ‘Fly Kenyalang Fly, Fly High’ continue to resound at the championships (in October). Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah
MIRI: Sarawak athletes are urged to rally behind ‘Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban’ at this year’s Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) Athletics Championships to be held in Negri Sembilan from October 13 to 20. The call was made by Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who is hoping to hear the battle cry resonate loudly at the national schools meet.
“You will carry the name of Sarawak to hunt for glory at the MSSM Championships later. May the fighting spirit of ‘Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban’ and the chant of ‘Fly Kenyalang Fly, Fly High’ continue to resound at the championships (in October),” he told over 900 student athletes at the opening of the 50th Sarawak School Sports Council (SSSC) Athletics Championships at Miri Stadium yesterday.
The text of Abdul Karim’s speech was read by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting. The value of sports in promoting unity was also highlighted.
“You all – the athletes and officials – are represented as a family from the same team and division, chasing the same goal. You must continue this momentum so that we can fly the state flag in the (MSSM meet) later.”
The state-level championships serves as an ‘excellent’ platform to unearth and hone athletic talent among students and served as the ‘best’ foundation for finding future athletes.
“As everyone knows, Sarawak will host the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in 2024. Some athletes who competed in this tournament will certainly represent Sarawak at Sukma (next year).
“Therefore, make this tournament a real competition ground among Sarawak’s young athletes,” the minister added.
Also present at the opening ceremony were Sarawak Education Department’s Students Development Sector’s deputy director Zamzaitul Akmal Hisham Ahmad, Miri District education officer Mariam Monek and Baram District education officer Matthew Laing Ngau.
A total of 929 athletes from 12 contingents representing the various divisions are competing in the meet.
Two new teams – SMK Tabuan Jaya State Sports School and Sabah Sports School – are also entered in the competition on invitation this year.