Wednesday, 16 July 2025

Sarawak’s ethnic diversity a natural advantage in sports

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Abdul Karim speaks at the closing ceremony. Photo : Ghazali Bujang

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BAU: The unique physical attributes of Sarawak’s diverse ethnic groups offer natural advantages in various sports, says Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Highlighting diving as one of Sarawak’s strengths, he pointed to the success of national diving icon Datuk Pandelela Rinong, a Bidayuh from Bau who won Malaysia’s silver medal at the pinnacle of global sport — the Olympics.

“Everybody knows Datuk Pandelela Rinong, who is from here. Among others, … (and) many more Bidayuh athletes who have represented the country over the last decade,” he said.

Abdul Karim shared insights from his discussions with experts at the National Sports Institute (ISN) in Bukit Jalil, noting that the Bidayuh body type is particularly well-suited for diving.

“They told me that when Bidayuh athletes perform acrobatic flips, their body height and form, not too tall, not too short, are ideal for diving.

“This balance gives them an edge in executing technically demanding moves,” he said.

He said this in his address when officiating the opening ceremony of the Bau Sports Carnival at the Bau Sports Complex here today (May 17).

In contrast, he explained, taller individuals with lanky frames, such as those over 6 feet may find it more difficult to control their movements during dives.

“That is why we must look at sports science when developing athletes. Every ethnic group has its strengths. For example, the Orang Ulu are naturally strong and excel in weightlifting and rugby.

“Rugby players from the interior, especially from the Orang Ulu community, are known to be powerful and resilient,” he added.

He also mentioned the Iban, particularly from Kapit, as natural sprinters, with strong builds that support explosive power and speed.

“The science of sport helps us identify where each group can potentially excel,” he said.

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