KUCHING – The Sarawak contingent for the XXI Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Selangor has been told to carry the highest levels of discipline and fighting spirit as they attempt to defend the state’s overall championship crown.
A flag handover ceremony at the Raia Hotel here on 10 August 2026 officially marked the athletes’ final preparations before they depart for the competition.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, the Premier of Sarawak, made it clear that the team’s previous triumph should not lead to complacency.
Instead, he said, it ought to act as a springboard for the athletes to deliver another commanding performance.
The Premier acknowledged the inherent unpredictability of competitive sport, yet he left no room for doubt about the goal.
“When we compete, there must be winners, and there must be losers. But Sarawak must win,” he stated during his address.
That direct rallying cry underscored the state’s determination to remain at the summit of the national multi-sport event.
Sarawak secured the overall championship when it hosted the last edition of the Games, and the leadership now expects the contingent to demonstrate the same level of excellence on Selangor soil.
Beyond the immediate target of defending the title, Abang Johari touched on the wider vision for Sarawak’s sporting ecosystem.
He said the state must raise its standards across facilities, coaching structures and athlete development pathways.
The goal, he explained, is not only to sustain dominance within Malaysia but also to equip Sarawakian talents to thrive at higher international levels in the future.
The Premier pointed to New Zealand as a useful benchmark for building a robust sports culture.
He noted how that country, with a population comparable to Sarawak’s, has consistently produced world-class athletes through deliberate investment in infrastructure and long-term support systems.
Sarawak, he added, can adopt similar principles to ensure its young talents are given every opportunity to shine.
At the same time, he reminded every member of the contingent about the personal responsibility they carry.
Athletes were told to safeguard their health, remain fully focused on their respective events, and uphold discipline throughout their stay in Selangor.
The Premier stressed that the final outcome would depend not just on physical preparation but also on the spirit, commitment and mental resolve of each individual representing the state.
He expressed confidence that the blend of thorough readiness, uninterrupted backing, and the deep desire to win would enable the Sarawak squad to mount a formidable challenge and reach the targets set for the Games.
The “Sarawak Champion” ethos was repeatedly reinforced during the ceremony as the contingent absorbed the message that defending the title requires more than talent alone.
Coaches, officials and athletes alike were reminded that unity and resilience often prove decisive when margins are thin.
The send-off event also served as a moment to acknowledge the support network behind the athletes, from families to state sports agencies, all of whom have played a part in the journey leading to Selangor.
As the contingent prepares to enter the competitive arena, the expectation back home is clear: Sarawak intends to return with the overall championship trophy once again.
The Games in Selangor will now test whether that aspiration translates into another triumphant chapter in the state’s sporting history.
