Abdul Karim (third left) presenting a souvenir to one of the team’s representatives at the Saberkas President Cup Futsal Tournament.
KUCHING (May 1): Athletes’ welfare must remain a priority despite cost-cutting measures for the upcoming Malaysia Games (Sukma), said Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He expressed hope that allowances such as pocket money and meals for participating athletes would not be reduced.
“My hope is that the tokens meant for the athletes, such as pocket money, will not be reduced, and that their meals will not be affected. Otherwise, it could create problems,” he said when commenting on the decision to reduce the Sukma budget by about 50 per cent following a special meeting held on Thursday (April 30).
He told reporters this after officiating the Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (Saberkas) President Cup Futsal Tournament at Sports Arena here on Friday.
Abdul Karim noted that the agreed cost-cutting measures would only involve organisational aspects of the games, such as the opening and closing ceremonies, without affecting the sports events themselves.
“During the meeting, we were informed that the opening ceremony will be reduced to a minimum level.
“The closing ceremony will also be scaled down, and the number of volunteers will be reduced from around 30,000 to only 5,000.
“There are indeed many reductions, but we hope these will not affect the excitement and vibrancy of Sukma,” he said, adding that the measures would be necessary due to current global challenges.
Abdul Karim, who attended the special meeting chaired by Federal Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, said the decision to proceed with Sukma was made following a courtesy visit to the Sultan of Selangor, who had initially advised that the games be postponed.
However, based on feedback from state sports exco members nationwide, there was unanimous support for the games to go on as scheduled this August in Selangor.
“With only three to four months remaining, most states are already in the final stages of preparation, and the host state is also almost fully ready,” he said.
He added that the Sarawak contingent will enter its training camp next week as part of its final preparations, with logistical arrangements such as accommodation and transport already secured.
Also present were Daro assemblyman and Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (Saberkas) secretary-general Dr Safiee Ahmad, as well as Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Ministry permanent secretary Dzulkornain Masron.
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