By Karen Bong and Chris Bishop
KUCHING, Sept 13: It is already in the State government’s plans to build a training velodrome in Sarawak to enable athletes to raise their potential and hone their cycling skills.
Disclosing this, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg noted that Sarawak’s cycling team are currently being sent to Kuala Lumpur for training because there is no such specialised training facility in Sarawak.
“It is added into my plan already to build a velodrome in Sarawak.
“Datuk Abdul Karim and colleagues who visited New Zealand, a country with a population of five million but athletes with international standards, suggested that Sarawak too should build more sports facilities like those in New Zealand for our athletes.
“I told him, as long as we have the funds, we will build the facilities for our children,” he said during the official handing over of the State flag to Sarawak Sukma XX MSN 2022 Contingent at a hotel here today.
Minister of Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Deputy Minister of Sport and Youth Development who is also 20th Malaysian Games (Sukma) chef-de-mission Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu and 21 assistant chef-de-mission were present.
Sarawak government’s emphasis on sports development has never ceased, Abang Johari pointed out, as he noted that youths across Sarawak have always requested for stadiums to be built in their areas.
“Even though it is costly, we built the stadiums at district-level so that there are places for training from school level to district to division and State.
“Huge and substantial funds are required but it is my responsibility to find the money to meet your needs and demands,” he added.
Meanwhile, today’s event was held to boost the morale of Sarawakian young athletes who are spearheading Sarawak’s challenge in this year’s Sukma games after a four-year hiatus.
A total of 564 athletes will represent Sarawak to compete in 31 sporting events in this year’s Sukma comprising a total of 426 matches to be held in five different localities starting Sept 16 to 24 in Kuala Lumpur.
They will be accompanied by 41 team managers and 107 sports officials. — DayakDaily
