KUCHING: The 52nd Sarawak Age Group Swimming Championship concluded with a strong message highlighting the need for sustained commitment and more frequent competitions to ensure Sarawak continues to be a leading force in the sport.
Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah spoke at the closing ceremony of the championship on Sunday.
He stressed the importance of developing young talent to ensure continuity among state representatives, particularly with the 2026 SUKMA Games in Selangor approaching and the SEA Games scheduled for next year, where swimming events will be held at the Sarawak Aquatic Centre.
“We need to put serious effort into swimming, as Sarawak is known to be a powerhouse, especially at SUKMA,” he said, adding that other states have continued to strengthen their programmes and Sarawak must work to maintain its competitive edge.
The three-day state-level championship, held at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre, marked a milestone collaboration between the Amateur Swimming Association of Sarawak (ASAS), the Sarawak State Education Department and the Sarawak Sports Corporation, making it the first time the three bodies jointly organised such an event.
The championship attracted 262 swimmers from five divisions across Sarawak — Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Bintulu, Sibu and Miri — and served as an important selection meet for the 2026 Malaysia Invitational Age Group (MIAG) and Malaysia Schools Sports Council (MSSM) championships.
The event also carried added significance as ASAS celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, having been established in 1965.
Following the recent Annual General Meeting and the formation of a new committee, Abdul Karim expressed hope that ASAS would continue to strengthen grassroots development while enhancing the quality of coaches and technical officials.
He emphasised that strong coordination and commitment from all stakeholders are vital to ensuring smooth organisation and the continued development of young athletes.
He concluded by congratulating all participants and reaffirmed that regular, competitive exposure remains key to producing future swimming champions for Sarawak.
