‘Be careful when seeking greener pastures abroad’

February 11, 2019

KUCHING: Sarawakian youths must be careful when seeking or accepting job opportunities abroad so as not to fall victim to human trafficking syndicates.

Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said prior to accepting any offer, it is important to carry out a thorough check to ensure the prospective overseas employer is legitimate and not involved in any illegal activities.

“Due to communication now being very advanced, we (government) cannot stop or monitor youths who go abroad seeking greener pastures.

Wushu can promote unity — Karim

May 6, 2018

Karim draws the sword to declare open the wushu competition while Wong (fourth left), and (from fourth right) Ong, Hii and WFS committee and organising committee look on. 

KUCHING: Wushu should be supported and further promoted in Sarawak as it is one of the sports that could be utilised to promote and strengthen the unity among the various races in the state.

In pointing this out during the opening ceremony and welcoming dinner for the participants of the 8th Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) Wushu Championship at a local hotel on Friday, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah noted that the traditional Chinese martial arts is now widely practised by many races other than the Chinese.

“Wushu is actually a popular sport in Sarawak and it has contributed quite a lot of medals for Sarawak in Sukan Malaysia (Sukma). The beauty that I can see in this sport is that it is also been able to encourage other ethnic races to get involved in it.

Galeri: A flag presentation ceremony to State Wushu team

October 6, 2017

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (second right, back row), Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee (second left) and Wushu Federation of Sarawak (WFS) deputy president James Ting (right) with the state athletes and coach Lau Hui Wei (left) during the flag presentation.

Govt to consider land application for wushu centre

March 21, 2017

Karim (seventh left), WFS president Allen Wong (eighth left), WFS deputy president James Ting (sixth left), MSNS wushu coordinator Thomas Chia (third right), Sarawak athletes and officials gesture during the flag presentation at Karim’s office at Bangunan Perumahan yesterday.

KUCHING: The State government will be looking into the application by Wushu Federation of Sarawak (WFS) for a piece of land to build its wushu centre.

Youth, Sports and Solidarity assistant minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah pledged that he will try his best to help in this matter.

“I have been to the state elite training centre last year and it is in a pathetic state. Wushu really needs a proper training ground,” he said when receiving a courtesy call from WFS president Allen Wong and officials, state athletes and team officials for the Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) Wushu Championship to be held in Kuala Lumpur from Mar 24-26.

The wushu athletes currently train at the Kota Sentosa Sports Centre. 

Athletes can be easily distracted as their training ground is adjacent to the futsal courts.

Wushu training centre ‘in the pipeline’

November 17, 2016

KUCHING: Sarawak wushu, which has continued to excel in Sukma and other national championships, deserves to have a centre for training athletes and hosting competitions.

Assistant Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who has commended the Wushu Federation of Sarawak (WFS) for its good management and ability to produce good results, believes that the State government should seriously consider the association’s request for land to build the centre.

“On my side it is still in the preliminary stage because no land had been identified,” he revealed.

Great expectations: Sarawak’s 20 all set for KPM Wushu Championship in Penang

November 16, 2016

Karim (seventh right) and WFS officials gesture as the assistant minister hands over the state colours to Tiong (fifth right).

KUCHING: The Sarawak team are expected to do well in the Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia (KPM) Wushu Championship at Han Chiang High School in Penang from Nov 18-20.

None other than Assistant Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah expressed this confidence when he met the young athletes set to perform in the national junior meet that was revived after two years.

Karim having a light moment with some of the wushu exponents.

“Looking at the way that the athletes perform, I am very sure they can bring back a lot of “good things” for the state. They are very young, look so confident and so professional with their performance,” he said at the State Elite Training Centre at Kota Sentosa Sports Centre on Monday evening.

Accompanied by Wushu Federation of Sarawak (WFS) president Allen Wong, deputy president James Ting and other officials, Karim also watched the young athletes in action during a training session.

The wushu exponents listen attentively to Karim.

Karim, also Assistant Housing Minister, said he was impressed by the young athletes who did not look jittery when executing their routines.

“Personally, I am very impressed by what I have seen tonight. If these are the kind of athletes that we have been grooming, I believe wushu in Sarawak and even Malaysia can go a long way.”

VICTORY IS OURS!!!

He also highlighted the commitment of WFS coaches and officials.

Karim counting on major international wushu meet here

October 28, 2016

KUCHING: Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is hoping that the Wushu Federation of Sarawak (WFS) can organise an international competition in the state.

"The government would like to see the state wushu association bring in an international wushu championship," said Karim after receiving a courtesy call from the WFS delegation at his office at the Housing Development Commission at Wisma Sultan Tengah yesterday.

The delegation led by president Allen Wong included deputy president James Ting, vice president Bong Chong Jan, secretary Willianm Kong, treasurer TH Ting and committee member Jimmy Chong.

Also present was Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) coordinator for wushu Thomas Chia.

Karim, who is also Assistant Housing Minister, said the government is striving towards bringing in more international competitions in a move to not only maximise the use of the state's sports facilities after SUKMA XVIII but also for the development of sports here.

"We are bringing in the Malaysian badminton Masters to Sibu next January and we hope to also see wuhsu and other sports doing the same, " he said.

Karim also told the WFS officials that the state government will support the funding for organising international competitions.

Wish upon wushu stars for gold rush

July 11, 2016

Karim (centre) with Wushu Federation of Sarawak (WFS) deputy president James Ting (fifth right, second row), WFS officials and members as well as the Sukma XVIII wushu team during the Hari Raya open house at Jalan Astana yesterday.

KUCHING: Wushu will continue to be a solid gold prospect for the Sarawak contingent in Sukma XVIII which will be hosted by Sarawak from July 22-31.

Sukma XVIII chef de mission Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he is very confident that the state wushu team will deliver the goods when it mattered most.

“I am very confident in wushu. So far, wushu has never failed us. I like the spirit inside team wushu… when they say they will deliver, they will deliver.