Sarawak aiming to be 19th Sopma overall champion

Dr Abdul Rahman chairing the meeting yesterday with (from left) Dr Ong, Abang Shamsudin and Albert Wong.

KUCHING: Sarawak is targeting at least 12 gold medals and to emerge as overall champion for the 19th Malaysia Deaf Games (Sopma) from Sept 30 to Oct 7.

The state will also be hosting the national games for the deaf for the first time. Athletes will be competing in four sports – athletics, badminton, ten-pin bowling and men’s football.

Assistant Minister of Welfare and Community Development Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail said Sarawak athletes have shown potential to excel in athletics and tenpin bowling.

SSDeaf needs financial assistance for Sukan Orang Pekak Malaysia (SOPMA)

Mayor Chan (seated centre), with Wong (on his left) and other visiting delegates of the for the 19th Sopma XIX (Deaf Games), expressed their love in sign language in a photo call taken during the courtesy visit at MBKS headquarters.

KUCHING (GerylOgilvyRuekeith): The Sarawak Deaf Sports Association (SSDeaf) is looking for sponsorship to aid the preparation of athletes for the 19th Sukan Orang Pekak Malaysia (Sopma XIX), in the city from Sept 30 till Oct 7.

SSDeaf president Albert Wong Tuong Chai, when communicating through an interpreter, said the state will send 65 athletes to compete in the four categories — badminton, men’s football, tenpin bowling and athletics — offered in this year’s games.

The association is facing financial constraint to help its athletes with their training, equipment, transportation as well as accommodation heading to Sopma XIX; which is only two months away. In addition, the SSDeaf also welcomes those with coaching experience to help the athletes to improve their performance.