When we first joined the Malaysian Games (SUKMA) in 1996, we earned one gold and one silver medals. Up until to recent edition, we have bagged five gold, 15 silver and 33 bronze medals, which is quite a feat for a small nation.
This year, we sent 61 athletes to participate in 11 events. I find that the decision did not reflect the local landscape. For example, we have archery club and association, regularly basketball tournaments, hardcore cyclists, five golf clubs and hockey teams, as well as plenty of squash, table tennis and tennis players. Football and futsal are popular, and so is badminton. There are other sports that we have been known to do well in, and yet these athletes weren’t selected to represent the country for the games.
The SUKMA is an opportunity for our athletes to compete, gain experience and prepare themselves for bigger sporting events such as SEA Games, Asia Games, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics. With this year’s games held in Sarawak, which is a stone’s throw away, it would have made more sense to send a bigger contingent. I thus urge the authorities to plan early for the next SUKMA, giving ample time to work closely with various sports associations, to ensure athletes with potential would have the chance to gain the much-needed exposure.
Sports Observer BSB
