14 Dec Kuching to host arm wrestlers from 18 countries
KUCHING: Arm wrestlers from 18 countries have confirmed their participation in the inaugural Premiere 101 International Charity Arm Wrestling Competition 2018 to be held at Premiere 101 Square, Jalan Tun Jugah on January 19 to 20 next year.
This was announced by Sarawak’s Minister of Tourism, Arts Culture, Youth and Sports, YB Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who disclosed the participants are from Thailand, Russia, China Indonesia, Malaysia and countries from south east Asia region.
The two-day event is organised by Sarawak Armsport Association (Sasa) with the aim to promote arm wrestling among locals as well as to encourage more of the sports fans from overseas to come into Sarawak.
Meanwhile, Sasa president Matthew Dominic Barin said arm wrestlers from more than 18 countries have already confirmed their participation.
“I have to admit that I am new to arm wrestling sport and had not heard of it happening here in Kuching, even though I know what the sport is all about,” said YB Datuk Karim while commending SASA for organising the event and his ministry would support any sports associations in holding tournaments or activities locally.
“We all do not want to smear the reputation of the state, the ministry and the association and we must all work together to make sure the event is a success,” he enthused.
Meanwhile, SASA president Matthew Dominic Barin said arm wresting is an old traditional sport and before this there no formal organisation to oversee the promotion and development of the sport in Sarawak.
“We are planning to have more young participants as arm wrestling is a very simple sport. All you need is a table and two opponents. But they must have proper technique to avoid injury,” he said.
“We started with schools or higher institutions to attract new members..we believe with the support from the ministry, we can move on further,” he said on SASA plans of organising an international Gala City Arm Wrestling Competition in July next year, the proposed Sarawak Chief Minister Cup in November 2018 and the World Cup Arm Wrestling Championship in 2019.