No such promise, minister says on Sukma gold incentive shortchange claim

November 29, 2018

KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says he ‘cannot recall’ promising Sukma gold medalists a reward of RM5,000 for their first medal, and RM7,000 for each subsequent medal.

Refuting allegations that the athletes were ‘shortchanged’, he said the RM3,000-incentive paid to gold medal winners was only decided after the 19th Sukma in Perak had ended.

“There is no shortchange (of incentive) as there were no (such) promises in the first place.

Sukma gold medalists not shortchanged – Abdul Karim

November 28, 2018

KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has clarified that the Sukma gold medalists were not shortchanged when they were paid RM3,000 as incentives instead of alleged promises of RM5,000 for first gold and RM7,000 for the subsequent golds.

“There is no shortchange as there was no promises in the first place,” he said in responding to media reports on allegation of unfairness over the distribution of of incentives to this year state Sukma gold, silver and bronze medalists.

This issue on incentive arose when a national news portal reported that six athletes from Sarawak were not happy with the alleged shortchange and failure by the State Sports Council to fulfill its promises.

Kerajaan cuba bersikap adil agih insentif kepada semua pemenang pingat SUKMA

November 28, 2018

KUCHING: Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah menegaskan bahawa kerajaan negeri cuba bersikap adil dalam pengagihan insentif kepada semua atlet Sarawak yang memenangi pingat pada Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) lalu.

“Kita tidak dapat memuaskan hati semua orang tetapi perlu bersikap adil dalam pemberian insentif. Pada SUKMA lepas, Sarawak memberi RM5,000 kepada pemenang pingat emas, RM750 kepada pemenang perak dan RM500 kepada pemenang gangsa.

“Jurang insentif antara pingat emas dan perak atau gangsa terlalu besar sedangkan atlet yang memenangi perak dan gangsa juga berusaha untuk berada di atas podium.

Appreciate what's given!

November 28, 2018

RM5,000 or RM3,000, pride in representing state that counts: Abdul Karim

KUCHING: Six Sarawak athletes who brought home gold from the Perak Sukma Games last September are unhappy that they have not been duly rewarded by the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS).

One of them, national hammer throw national record holder Grace Wong, claimed in a Facebook posting that the gold medal winners were given cash incentives of only RM3,000 each when initially they were promised RM5,000 for every gold medal.

Sharing her disappointment were Johnny Ling Siew (hammer). Queenie Ting Kung Ni and Abdul Rahman Lee (discus), Mohd Rizzua Haizad Muhamad (110 metres hurdles) and Quek Lee Yong (400 metres) who also received RM3,000 each.

Sarawak renew fight for overall Sukma title

November 25, 2018

KUCHING: The Sarawak Sports Corporation and sports associations have been asked to be as focused as possible as the state switches its attention to the 2020 Malaysia Games (Sukma) to be held in Johor.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said it remains the hope of the Sarawak government that Sarawak win the overall Sukma title.

He believed Sarawak can do better in Johor in view of the fact that there are many Sarawakians living and working in Johor.

“With about 50,000 Sarawakians based in Johor, I am very sure when Sukma is held there, we will have a lot of supporters rallying behind out athletes down there.

`First-timers’ contribute huge chunk of gold, silver medals won in Perak — Abd Karim

November 24, 2018

Abdul Karim presenting incentives to a squad for their achievements in the recent Sukma.

KUCHING, Nov 24: About 42 per cent of the gold medals and 33 per cent of silver medals that Sarawak won in the recent Sukma XIX in Perak were contributed by first-timers.

In revealing this, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah believed this new pool of athletes could deliver more gold medals to the state if given proper training as well as exposure.

“As you know, last year we have also revived Sukan Sarawak or SukSar, in short. My ministry had revived the organising of SukSar with the main aim of providing a good avenue for our young athletes to compete in a high-level sports carnival,” he said at the appreciation ceremony for the medalists and the Sarawak Contingent to Sukma Perak 2018 at a leading hotel here today.

SUKMA: Karim mahu ‘post mortem’ terhadap sukan gagal menang pingat

September 28, 2018

KUCHING: Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah mahu ‘post mortem’ dilakukan terhadap mana-mana sukan yang gagal memenangi pingat pada temasya SUKMA XIX Perak yang berakhir baru-baru ini.

“Kita mendapati sesetengah sukan bukan sahaja sukar memenangi pingat emas, malah pingat gangsa pun tidak dapat.

“Justeru, kita akan melakukan ‘post mortem’ untuk melihat di mana kesilapan sama ada daripada cara kita mengendalikan persatuan atau cara mencungkil bakat baharu,” katanya semalam.

Tough times ahead, Sarawak Sukma contingent warned

September 28, 2018

KUCHING: Sarawak is proud of its contingent’s achievements in the 19th Sukma in Perak despite finishing fourth overall with 42 gold medals, said Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“Of course we still hope to be Sukma overall champion.

“It is what every contending contingent is hoping for,” he said in response to a question during a news conference held at Bangunan Baitul Makmur in Petra Jaya yesterday.

Abdul Karim pointed out that Sarawak might face stiffer competition in the future given that most of the states had equipped themselves with better sports facilities.

Sarawak contingent reminded of their mission in Perak

September 9, 2018

Karim (fourth left) helping Abang Johari to put on the official Sarawak contingent jacket for Sukma as (from right) Snowdan, Uggah and assistants chef-de-mission look on.

KUCHING: Sarawak athletes competing in Sukma XIX in Perak have been reminded to conduct themselves well, keep their focus or be sent home in disgrace.

The advice came from Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday.

“We don’t want to hear anyone being picked up by the police, get into fights, being reported of disciplinary issues or you will be on the next flight home,” he warned.

Preparations on track for Sukma, says Abdul Karim

September 7, 2018

Karim (centre) and Henry (fourth left, second row) shout the Sarawak battle cry with the swimmers and officials at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre in Petra Jaya on Wednesday.

KUCHING: Sarawak’s preparations for the Sukma XIX in Perak have received the thumbs up from Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

“We are now in the final phase of training for all sports that we are involved in and we are fully prepared for it (Sukma),” Abdul Karim said after visiting the diving and swimming teams in training at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre in Petra Jaya on Wednesday.

“Our preparations had begun ever since the end of last Sukma where we have lined out our strategies and selected the best athletes.

All set for Sukma with a week to go

September 5, 2018

KUCHING: Sarawak has set a target of 77 gold medals which officials hope will be enough to carry home the overall title in Sukma XIX starting in Perak on Sept 12.

Much has been done to prepare the 700-strong contingent including talent spotting, systematic planning and training, overseas exposure and reviving the Sarawak Games or Suksar, a multi-sports event held at the state level.

“A lot of secret trainings have been done, we have sent our athletes to train in places like China, Thailand, Sabah and even to Canada. 

Persediaan kontinjen Sarawak memuaskan

August 21, 2018

MEMUASKAN: Karim (tengah) ketika bercakap pada sidang media dengan Pembantu Chef-de-Mission (ACDM) semasa mesyuarat yang diadakan di Kuching semalam.

KUCHING:Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah telah menyuarakan kepuasan terhadap persediaan yang sudah dilaksanakan kontinjen negeri ke Sukan Malaysia Ke-19 (SUKMA XIX) yang akan diadakan di Perak dari 11 hingga 22 September depan.

Beliau berkata demikian semasa pertemuan dengan Pembantu Chef-de-Mission (ACDM) setiap persatuan sukan yang diadakan di sini semalam.

“SUKMA XIX hanya tinggal 22 hari lagi dan kita mesti bersedia menghadapi cabaran yang akan datang ketika pertandingan bermula,” katanya pada pertemuan itu yang dihadiri 90 peserta termasuk Menteri Muda Belia dan Sukan Datuk Snowdan Lawan yang juga Chef-de-Mission (CDM) dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Perbadanan Sukan Sarawak Dr Ong Kong Swee.

Kagumi misi, visi sukan Sarawak

August 18, 2018

JEMPUTAN: Howard (tiga kiri) menyampaikan watikah jemputan kepada Abdul Karim disaksikan (dari kanan) Ong, Hii, Snowdan dan delegasi dari negeri Perak di Kuching semalam.

KUCHING: Kerajaan negeri Perak berminat menjadikan Perbadanan Sukan Sarawak (PSS) sebagai model untuk menubuhkan perbadanan sukan mereka sendiri tidak lama lagi.

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Belia dan Sukan Negeri Perak, Howard Lee Chuan How berkata pemilihan Sarawak adalah kerana kejayaan negeri ini dalam membangunkan bidang sukan secara menyeluruh.

“Di bawah kementerian kami, kita dalam proses untuk menubuhkan perbadanan sukan negeri sendiri.

Sarawak rakan ‘sparring’ Perth Glory

July 07, 2018

ACARA ANTARABANGSA: Abdul Karim (tengah) bersama (dari kanan) Zul, Razali, Posa, Lucas dan Jeffery menunjukkan risalah Perlawanan Bola Sepak Antarabangsa dan Simposium Bola Sepak Antarabangsa Sarawak pada sidang media di Kuching semalam.

KUCHING: Sarawak diberi penghormatan sebagai salah satu lokasi jelajah pramusim pasukan bola sepak ternama dari Australia, Perth Glory FC.

Ia bakal menyaksikan pasukan yang akan bersaing dalam Hyundai A-League itu mengadakan perlawanan persahabatan menentang pasukan Sarawak pada 11 Ogos depan diikuti perlawanan menentang pasukan SUKMA Sarawak pada 14 Ogos di Stadium Negeri, Petra Jaya di sini.

Menteri Pelancongan, Kesenian, Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah berkata ini julung kalinya pasukan bola sepak profesional dari luar negara memilih Sarawak sebagai destinasi jelajah pra-musim dan ia satu penghormatan amat besar kepada arena bola sepak Sarawak.

Minister lauds decision to reinstate three Sukma sports

February 21, 2018

SIBU: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has again expressed satisfaction with the decision to reinstate Taekwondo, Sepak Takraw and Weightlifting in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Perak this year.

He was commenting on National Sports Council (NSC) director-general Datuk Ahmad Shapawi Ismail’s recent statement that the Sukma Supreme Committee had decided to reinstate sepak takraw, taekwondo and weightlifting in the 2018 Sukma.

It was not fair to the three sports to be dropped abruptly, Karim said.

2018 Perak Sukma: Sarawak to spend RM10.9 million to prepare athletes

May 30, 2017

Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah said the allocation will be used to organise the Sarawak Games (SUKSA) in December.

KUCHING: The Sarawak state government will spend RM10.9 million to develop its athletes in an effort to make the state a sports powerhouse in the country within the next two years.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah said the allocation will be used to organise the Sarawak Games (SUKSA) in December and for preparing and training the athletes for the 2018 Perak Sukma (Malaysia Games).

The state government only allocated RM3 million for the the Sarawak contingent to 2016 Sarawak Sukma.

Ministry proposes study on Youth Index in the state

May 19, 2017

KUCHING: A study on the Sarawak’s Youth Index will be proposed to measure the quality and well-being of youths in the state.

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the proposed study would be in collaboration with the Institute for Youth Research Malaysia (IYRES).

“The index will cover 12 domains comprising self-development, education, potential, economic well-being, media usage and political socialisation and 58 indicators.
   

Sarawak is proud of Morshidi's achievementt -Karim

April 28, 2017

KUCHING: State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani was awarded the 2016 Exemplary Sports Leadership Award by the National Sports Council (NSC) at the Malaysia Sports Award presentation ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

The award was the first to be awarded to a Sarawakian leader in the present millennia and it was based on Morshidi’s leadership and insightful role in the organising and staging of the 18th Malaysia Games (Sukma) in July last year.

Mohammad Morshidi (centre) holding the Exemplary Sports Award is flanked by Kameri Affandi, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Solidarity and Dr Ong Kong Swee, director of Sarawak State Sports Council.

“This is truly inspiring and we are so proud of his achievements,” said Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah on the recognition given to Morshidi by the NSC and the Malaysian sports fraternity in general.

“He has shown that we are capable of organising and staging the best Sukma there is…together we have shown to the rest of the country that Sarawak can become the best host for any world-class sporting events held locally,” enthused Abdul Karim, who is the Youth and Sports assistant minister.

According to him, Morshidi’s achievement is set to become the benchmark for other sports leaders to follow and it will be tall order for others who want to organise or outdo what Sarawak has achieved in the recent 18th Sukma.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Badminton Association (SBA) honorary secretary Abdul Hadi Abdul Kadir said that Morshidi was an exemplary leader who had been involved in the organising and staging of reputable badminton championships in Sarawak.

“He has the ability to bring about the best in all the local sports leaders and managers which is also the trademark of our very own government which have good leaders with the highest level of professionalism, vision and astute in delivering the best results.”

According to Hadi, Morshidi who is an avid badminton player was instrumental in bringing national and international badminton tournaments to Sarawak such as the recent Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open 2017 in Kuching, the Victor Far East Malaysia Masters 2017 in Sibu, the 2014 Maybank Kuching International Challenge and the 2015 Yonex Sunrise Malaysia Masters in Kuching.

President of Sarawak Taekwondo Association (STA), Salleh Mohd Sani commended Morshidi for being an exemplary leader and for commanding the respect of others after making the last Sukma one of the best ever held.

“He is very precise and meticulous in what he does.

“Of course the award will also motivate all sports leaders including myself to follow suit and inspire all of us to emulate his footsteps,” said Salleh.

The president of Sarawak Judo Association (SJA), Francis Chan described Morshidi’s achievement as something which the local sports fraternity should be proud of and it showed that the development of sports in Sarawak is in good hands.

“Tan Sri Morshidi has shown us that we do have good sports leaders who can drive the standard of the games even further and the local sports fraternity must rally together in supporting the development efforts made by our leaders,” he enthused.

According to him, the award will also motivate the local sports fraternity to do better in the coming 19th Sukma which will be held in Ipoh, Perak.

Robert Lu who was the team manager of Sukma Sarawak ten-pin bowling squad, described Morshidi as a very hard working leader and he wanted nothing but the best from all the local athletes.

“His leadership and management style is excellent. He is also a good listener and a very approachable person who is always helpful to us,” said Lu. -TheBorneoPost

  

Pandelela Aquatic Centre open for public recreation

March 2, 2017

Abdul Karim (second left) and other guests giving the thumbs up for the aquatic centre.

KUCHING: The Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre is now open to the public. 

It was officially opened by Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah yesterday.

He said it is the first water theme park in Sarawak, albeit a mini one, which can be utilised by families for recreational activities.

Suksa back after a 27-year hiatus

February 24, 2017

Karim (front row, centre) with the event committee in a photocall after the press conference yesterday.

KUCHING: The state Games or ‘Sukan Sarawak’ (Suksa) will return this year after a 27-year hiatus, the last one being held back in 1990.

According to Suksa 2017 chairman Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the Sarawak Games will be the best venue as a prelude to unearth talent for the national Games or ‘Sukan Malaysia’ (Sukma) in 2018.

“The last time Suksa was held, we (Sarawak) were the (Sukma) champions and I believe Suksa will be the platform to showcase the capabilities of our talents,” said Karim.