KUCHING, Long queues are not deterring local fans from getting their hands on free tickets for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Sarawak that are being distributed free for two days beginning today.

Food trader Rafidah Borda, 45, was willing to skip a day of work today just to show up at 7 am from Petrajaya to get four free tickets so that she and her relatives can support the Games that are being hosted in her home state.

‘SUKMA is rarely held here, so I want to show my support, otherwise I don’t know when I’ll get the chance to watch it in person again,’ she told Bernama here after getting her tickets at 11:30 am today.

The badminton fan added that she was proud that Sarawak was hosting the Games and expressed hope that Sarawak athletes would emerge champions.

Housewife Siti Nurbayah Rabu, 40, shared that she had to queue for about four hours to get tickets to watch the opening ceremony with her husband and children, adding that she would be cheering on her child who is partici
pating in the Silambam event.

‘I’m very excited to watch the 2024 SUKMA and see my child competing with my own eyes,’ she said.

The Sarawak authorities had previously issued a statement announcing that 7,500 free tickets for the opening ceremony at Sarawak Stadium on Aug 17 would be distributed daily from today.

The 2024 SUKMA will take place from Aug 17 to 24, with 37 sports being contested and involve nine divisions – Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency