SIBU: A total of 1,600 athletes from four zones in Sarawak will converge on Sibu to compete in 13 sports in the third edition of the Sarawak Games (Suksar) from January 15-18.
Sibu Resident, Datuk Wong Hee Sieng, said four blocks of the Laila Taib College hostel in Desa Sanyan, comprising 256 units of accommodation, would be turned into the Games village.
He told reporters here today (January 10) that all sports facilities, such as the Azman Hashim Community Sports Centre in Sibu Jaya and Sibu Indoor Stadium, are in tip-top shape and that all the contingents are expected to arrive here in stages from Saturday (January 13).
Cycling will be held at the Sibu Jaya-Julau and Taman Jubli Bukit Aup routes; weightlifting (Dewan Melayu Melanau); volleyball (Taman Rejang Volleyball Hall); basketball (KRT Sungai Antu Basketball Court); men's and women's futsal (Kampung Nangka Futsal Courts); sepak takraw (Kampung Bandong Sepak Takraw Hall); hockey (Bukit Lima Indoor Stadium); wushu (SM Wong Nai Siong); taekwondo and boxing (Sibu Indoor Stadium); judo (Azman Hashim Community Sports Centre, Sibu Jaya); karate (Sibu Jaya); and pencak silat (MUC Kampung Nyabor Hall).
Wong said the opening ceremony will be officiated by state Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Development Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the Sibu Indoor Stadium on January 15, while Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is scheduled to officiate the closing ceremony at the same venue on January 18.
Suksar is a platform for Sarawak athletes who have never competed or won any medals in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) to gain experience and improve on their performances. — Bernama