The forthcoming 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) will be held in August and many states have already making preparations including athletes’ selection which may include those who are not representing their home states. For our contingent, I have given the assurance that athletes will not face any discrimination or be barred from competitions simply because they choose to represent a state other than Sarawak.
I have mentioned this to the media recently and actually, there are some Sarawakian athletes who have opted to compete for other states due to prior commitments or specific allowances received. If things cannot be worked out at that level, then there’s not much we can do. But we will not victimize or stop any athletes just because they do not want to be with us.
We will not kill off their career. We have to be fair to them. With regards to disputes over athlete representation, the responsibility to resolve these lies primarily with the individual sports associations. I have also acknowledged the challenges we face faces on athletes’ representation because some athletes who were developed and groomed by Sarawak represent other states, while some athletes from other states compete for Sarawak.
We do get feedbacks on athletes who have been with us for a few years. We are the ones who identify, groom, and expose them, but they come from another state.
Sometimes these athletes are already at a level that can guarantee gold medals, and the other states are not very happy about. I have also added that before SUKMA commences, there are usually a period when such issues are discussed and resolved amicably, with consideration given to the welfare and progression of the athletes.
The welfare and progression of the athletes are always taken into account. We look into who developed the athlete, and if it is us who are responsible on it, then the athletes should represent us, even if they are not permanent residents or considered Sarawakians.
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