SPORTS CULTURE IN PERLIS TO UNDERGO REBRANDING EXERCISE TO SHOWCASE OWN IDENTITY

KANGAR, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- The Perlis Games will be given a new branding and own identity with the philosophy of sports culture in the way of the Perlis people in an effort to ensure that every participation in all sports is participated by the state's natives. 

Perlis Youth and Sports, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Mohd Ridzuan Hashim said he, the Perlis State Sports Council (MSNPs) and the State Sports Association would work seriously to ensure that success can be achieved together.    

"In addition to the success of the medal collection in the Games, we also hope that the management of the State Sports Association will improve. As we understand it, an association is an organisation established with the aim of gathering and uniting individuals to enliven and develop sports in the state. 

"Therefore, I hope that the administrators of the association will try to ensure that their association moves in tandem with the state government in the management of sports in the state of Perlis," he said in his speech during the incentives presentation ceremony for medal winners of the Perlis contingent at the 2024 Sarawak Malaysia Games (SUKMA), Para SUKMA 2024 and 2024 Paris Paralympics, here last night.

Also present was Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.

Mohd Ridzuan said the state government wants to ensure that all sports competed by the state is represented by only athletes from Perlis because the funds are provided by the state government.

"Particular focus is given on the level of coaching expertise; athlete welfare; comfort of training centers and tournament organization. All of these are given priority to the people of Perlis to participate as key players to ensure the successful implementation of this plan," he said.

Meanwhile, at a press conference after the incentive handover ceremony, he said Perlis is targeting 20 gold medals at SUKMA 2026 with a focus on eight core sports.

"We will continue the efforts that have started this year with new enthusiasm. In the next two years, we will intensify the training of athletes, including through state-level sports events," he said.

Meanwhile, according to a statement from the MSNP, the Perlis state government through MSNP handed winning incentives of RM497,300 to athletes who won medals at the SUKMA, Para SUKMA and Paris Paralympics.

For the record, at the SUKMA 2024 Games, Perlis managed to win 12 gold medals while Para SUKMA contributed six gold medals for the state. 

Datuk Abdul Latif Romly managed to bring home a silver medal through the Men's Long Jump (T20) event at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and he received an incentive worth RM80,000 for making Perlis proud at the world level.

-- BERNAMA