SARAWAK Sports Minister Abdul Karim Hamzah has spoken to allay fears that the facilities for the Malaysia Games, or Sukma, will not be ready in time.
Sarawak will be hosting the games on August 17 to 24.
Karim said with 56 days to go before the 21st Sukma, workers are working hard to complete the various facilities for the games.
“We're ready and as good as go for the one-week competition,” Karim said.
Among the venues behind schedule are the BMX cycling track and the wushu competition venue, both in Kuching.
He said workers are putting the finishing touches on venues where work is reported to be behind schedule,
Karim said workers were installing fixtures and fittings and painting the venues said to be behind schedule.
"It's being expedited,” he said.
He said the most important venue, the Sarawak Stadium, where the opening and closing ceremonies, track and field events will be held, is ready.
The 484 events are spread out over nine cities and towns, with Kuching hosting the bulk of them.
Athletics, archery, basketball, beach volleyball, cricket, cycling, diving, E-sports, golf, hockey, kabaddi, lawn bowls, petanque, rhythmic gymnastics, shooting, silambam, squash, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, tenpin bowling, women's football, and wushu, will be held in Kuching.
Neighbouring Samarahan division will host chess and futsal; Serian gymnastics; Sri Aman boxing; Betong weightlifting; Sibu badminton, indoor volleyball, and men's football; Mukah judo, men's football, netball; Miri men's football, muaythai, sepak takraw, fencing, karate, pencak silat, rugby, sailing, and softball.
Sarawak will be hosting for the third time after 1990 and 2016.
Thirteen states, one federal territory, and Brunei – the only foreign country invited to the domestic sporting event – have confirmed their participation.
Karim was in Brunei on Wednesday to invite his counterpart Awang Nazmi Awang Mohamad. Awang Nazmi to the games. – June 24, 2024.