Wednesday 9 August 2017

43 Sarawakians in SEA Games 2017

August 09, 2017

Karim reveals the list of state athletes who will represent Malaysia in the upcoming SEA Games.

KUCHING: Forty-three athletes from Sarawak will represent Malaysia in the upcoming 29th SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur from Aug 19-30.

According to Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, they will be competing in athletics, cycling, football, volleyball, wushu, diving, tennis, rugby, squash, swimming and gymnastics.

Ariana Nurminda Ariffin, the nation’s top BMX cyclist, will be among those aiming for a gold medal in Kuala Lumpur.

During a press conference at Bangunan Baitulmakmur yesterday he also highlighted several state athletes such as Olympians swimmer Welson Sim Wee Seng who competed in the 2016 Rio Games and diver Tracy Vivien Tukiet who competed in the 2012 London Games.

Wushu exponent Diana Bong, who is seeking her fourth SEA Games gold medal, is the oldest athlete from the state while the youngest is 15-year-old Kimberly Bong Qian Ping who is making her debut in diving.

“We also have our 2015 Singapore SEA Games hammer throw bronze medallist Grace Wong who will aim for the gold on home ground this time while our longest serving athlete Bibian Ng who has been the national women’s pistol shooter for 17 consecutive years is also gunning for gold,” he added.

Sarawakians will dominate the national women’s volleyball team which includes seven players from Sibu namely Chloe Wong, Maida Song, Mandy Song, Ting Hui Chin, Stephanie Law, Angela Tang and Alicia Yii.

Besides Grace there are eight other Sarawakians in the athletics squad including Jonathan Nyepa, Nixson Kennedy, Mohd Arif Zulhilmi, Muhd Rizzua Haizad, Quek Lee Yong, Abdul Rahman Lee, Jackie Wong and Norris Foo. 

Also seeing action in Kuala Lumpur will be top cyclist (BMX) Ariana Nurminda Ariffin, footballer Tommy Mawat, gymnast Arecia Esmelda Menti, golfer Ashley Lau, judoka Brenton Sim and Dewi Idora in cricket.

Karim also urged all Sarawakians to support and cheer for the local athletes who have trained hard and sacrificed much to make the state and the nation proud.

When asked on any reward for state athletes who win gold at the regional games, Karim said they will look into the matter. -TheBorneoPost

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