Suksar 2026: Coaches praise Sri Aman Stadium but call for upgrades for future basketball events (Video)

SIMANGGANG (Feb 6): Basketball coaches and officials involved in the ongoing Sukan Sarawak (Suksar) IV 2026 have expressed satisfaction with the facilities at the Sri Aman District Council (MDSA) Indoor Stadium, which is serving as the main venue for the tournament.

They said the venue is suitable for competitions such as Suksar but would require significant upgrades to host national or international tournaments.

Sarawak women’s basketball head coach for the upcoming Malaysia Games (Sukma), Idham Khalid Abdul Sallam, said while the facility is generally good, several aspects need upgrading.

“First of all, the huge fans in this stadium can be a distraction for players because when they rotate under the lights, they cast shadows on the court,” he told reporters after witnessing a women’s Suksar match at the venue.

His views were echoed by Sarawak men’s team head coach for Sukma, Foo Soon Khiong, who was also present at the match.

According to Foo, Simanggang has adequate facilities for tournaments such as Suksar.

“What makes a good basketball venue is the flooring and the lighting. We need good flooring for tournaments, and without proper lighting, matches cannot be carried out well.

“As a former state player, I understand this need,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Basketball Association secretary Ho Kui Seng said a good basketball venue should be equipped with wooden flooring, which is more suitable for competitive play.

He said such facilities are currently available only in major towns in Sarawak, while Simanggang has yet to have one.

“We already have one in Bintulu, and Kuching will have one as well, especially with it set to host the SEA Games,” he said.

Suksar IV 2026 is being held from Feb 5 to Feb 8, with Sri Aman serving as one of the co-hosts.

The basketball tournament is taking place at the MDSA Indoor Stadium and serves as a key platform to identify under-21 talents from across the state for selection to the Sarawak squad for the upcoming Sukma in Selangor later this year.