The Brunei Times
Chief Minister of Melaka, Datuk Seri Hj Md Ali Md Rustam, delivers his speech at the 'Jom Ke Melaka' roadshow in Gadong yesterday.THE Sultanate will send 75 athletes to compete in the 13th edition of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) to be hosted by Melaka from June 10-19.
Pg Sabri Pg Hj Mohamad, the Deputy Director of the Youth and Sports Department, announced this to the Press during the "Jom Ke Melaka" roadshow held at the Gold Stone Ballroom of the Centrepoint Hotel in Gadong yesterday.
Including the officers, the Sultanate will send a contingent totalling 135 to the Games.
Pg Sabri also said Brunei would compete in 13 of the 33 sports to be featured in Melaka.
The Brunei contingent will be led by chef de mission Hj Rosmadi Hj Md Daud, the Acting Deputy Director of the Youth and Sports Department.
Pg Sabri was attending the roadshow which guest of honour, Chief Minister of Melaka, Datuk Seri Hj Md Ali Md Rustam, was promoting.
Md Ali said the State is using the Games to venture into sports tourism.
To prepare for the Games the State has spent RM$105 million to renovate and build the venues which will be used throughout the 10-day tournament.
Nine thousand athletes from 15 States including Brunei will be competing at the Games and Md Ali expects an influx of 500,000 visitors during the 10-day period, generating a revenue of RM$250 million.
The Chief Minister also extended his invitation to the Brunei contingent to train at the Games venues, saying: "Most of the venues were built for the Games for example the swimming pool, the tennis courts and hockey fields are all new so it would be better if the athletes can familiarise themselves with the new facilities."
Md Ali, who is also the chairman of the Games' organising committee, also emphasised the State's commitment to make the Melaka Sukma a success.
"We have had a Games drill which covers everything down to the very minute detail," said Md Ali.
The Chief Minister played down news reports on new Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak in Malaysia.
It has been reported that Malaysian national badminton coach Rashid Sidek and his daughter were admitted to a private hospital on Saturday after both were certified H1N1 positive.
"Regarding H1N1, it is just a natural phenomenon. It is happening throughout the world and though there is a reason to be worried, to overeact would be another matter. We assure everyone that necessary steps to prevent an outbreak will be taken at each venue, all athletes will be thoroughly scanned and advised on H1N1."
He added that athletes participating in the Games will not be asked to take the H1N1 vaccination shots, fearing the side-effects of such a shot might hinder their performance.
There is another cause to worry though as the Games will clash with another major sporting event in South Africa the World Cup.
However, Md Ali remains unflustered and thinks the World Cup will instead boost the Games atmosphere.
"I don't think the World Cup will be one of the factors that will stop fans from travelling to Melaka. With the time difference (between Malaysia and South Africa), updates and screenings of the matches will constantly be played at venues where people can enjoy it," said the Chief Minister.
All in all, Md Ali guarantees that visitors to the 13th Sukma in Melaka will be offered the best experience.
"The State will do its best to make the experience enjoyable for everyone," he concluded.
Pg Sabri Pg Hj Mohamad, the Deputy Director of the Youth and Sports Department, announced this to the Press during the "Jom Ke Melaka" roadshow held at the Gold Stone Ballroom of the Centrepoint Hotel in Gadong yesterday.
Including the officers, the Sultanate will send a contingent totalling 135 to the Games.
Pg Sabri also said Brunei would compete in 13 of the 33 sports to be featured in Melaka.
The Brunei contingent will be led by chef de mission Hj Rosmadi Hj Md Daud, the Acting Deputy Director of the Youth and Sports Department.
Pg Sabri was attending the roadshow which guest of honour, Chief Minister of Melaka, Datuk Seri Hj Md Ali Md Rustam, was promoting.
Md Ali said the State is using the Games to venture into sports tourism.
To prepare for the Games the State has spent RM$105 million to renovate and build the venues which will be used throughout the 10-day tournament.
Nine thousand athletes from 15 States including Brunei will be competing at the Games and Md Ali expects an influx of 500,000 visitors during the 10-day period, generating a revenue of RM$250 million.
The Chief Minister also extended his invitation to the Brunei contingent to train at the Games venues, saying: "Most of the venues were built for the Games for example the swimming pool, the tennis courts and hockey fields are all new so it would be better if the athletes can familiarise themselves with the new facilities."
Md Ali, who is also the chairman of the Games' organising committee, also emphasised the State's commitment to make the Melaka Sukma a success.
"We have had a Games drill which covers everything down to the very minute detail," said Md Ali.
The Chief Minister played down news reports on new Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak in Malaysia.
It has been reported that Malaysian national badminton coach Rashid Sidek and his daughter were admitted to a private hospital on Saturday after both were certified H1N1 positive.
"Regarding H1N1, it is just a natural phenomenon. It is happening throughout the world and though there is a reason to be worried, to overeact would be another matter. We assure everyone that necessary steps to prevent an outbreak will be taken at each venue, all athletes will be thoroughly scanned and advised on H1N1."
He added that athletes participating in the Games will not be asked to take the H1N1 vaccination shots, fearing the side-effects of such a shot might hinder their performance.
There is another cause to worry though as the Games will clash with another major sporting event in South Africa the World Cup.
However, Md Ali remains unflustered and thinks the World Cup will instead boost the Games atmosphere.
"I don't think the World Cup will be one of the factors that will stop fans from travelling to Melaka. With the time difference (between Malaysia and South Africa), updates and screenings of the matches will constantly be played at venues where people can enjoy it," said the Chief Minister.
All in all, Md Ali guarantees that visitors to the 13th Sukma in Melaka will be offered the best experience.
"The State will do its best to make the experience enjoyable for everyone," he concluded.
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