KUCHING: Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) chief executive officer (CEO) and Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) director Mu’azamir Jili has called for a unified sports ecosystem involving all stakeholders, saying it is key to Sarawak becoming a national sporting powerhouse.
Mu’azamir officially assumed both roles on Monday, replacing acting SSC chief executive officer and MSNS director Khairul Nizam Morshidi in a leadership transition aimed at strengthening the state’s sports development.
He said his immediate priority is the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) 2026, followed by preparations for the SEA Games, stressing that both require better coordination of planning, resources and support systems.
“Right now, the first priority is SUKMA. We are short of time, but I believe everything is ready. The focus is on how we can boost and at least retain our performance,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
He added that while Sarawak has already established itself as one of the strongest hosts of the SUKMA, the next phase must focus on performance sustainability and competitive excellence beyond hosting capabilities.
Mu’azamir, previously served as the director of National Department of Youth and Sports (JBSN) of Pahang, said his experience in various administrative and development roles had shaped his belief that sports success depends on collective responsibility.
He emphasised that the entire sports ecosystem — from parents and athletes to associations and administrators must work in cohesion to produce and sustain high-performance athletes.
“The whole family of sport must be there. It starts from the parents, the associations must be sincere and transparent, the athletes must be supported, and the administration must function effectively. It is a total team effort,” he said.
He also cautioned against overly simplistic performance measurements in sports, saying that athlete development cannot be treated like conventional business returns.
“In sport, we are dealing with human development. You cannot expect RM10 to become RM20. It takes time, sacrifice, tears and effort to produce athletes, and even more to sustain them,” he added.
Mu’azamir said he plans to engage with all sporting bodies in Sarawak through open discussions to better understand existing challenges and strengthen coordination across the board.
He also reaffirmed Sarawak’s long-term ambition of becoming a dominant force in Malaysian sports, but stressed that this would only be possible with strong grassroots development and unified commitment from all parties.
“I need to do a lot of things. I need to see my team first and I will call all the sport bodies to have an open discussion. Right now, I need to make sure sports move forward.
“Everybody has to play their role. If we want to become a sports powerhouse in Malaysia, we need everyone’s support,” he said.
