Continuous drizzle could really dampen the field and the surrounding area of the Sarawak Stadium here, but it didn't fizzle out the joyous celebrations and the grand opening of the 18th Malaysia Games (Sukma) last night.

Spectators began flocking to the stadium as early as 5 pm and were entertained with performance by local artistes while waiting for the games to be declared open by Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Abdul Taib and his wife Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi arrived at the stadium at 8.45 pm and were welcomed by the cheering crowd, followed by dazzling fireworks display.

Also present were Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem and his wife, Puan Sri Jamilah Anu, as well as Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

The tradition of the games continued when over 5,000 athletes marched into the stadium for the flag raising and competitors' oath-taking ceremony.

To add fun to the show, more than 3,500 performers turned the pitch into a giant LED screen with glittering flashes of light that make up various formations with the theme 'Unity in Diversity', which reflected the uniqueness of the ethnic diversity in Sarawak.

The 18th edition of the Sukma sees 24 sports being contested, mostly in Kuching and Kota Samarahan, while badminton and volleyball in Sibu, and karate and yachting in Miri.

The last time Sarawak hosted the games was in 1990 in which they emerged as the overall winner and defended the title in 1992 and 1994.

In the meet in 1988, 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2004, Sarawak had to settle as runner up.

The closing ceremony on July 31 is expected to be graced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.