By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Dec 4: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg wants football to be looked into, especially in terms of sports management.
Abang Johari stated this at a press conference after officiating at the Abang Jo Junior Badminton Cup 2022 and the opening of the Sarawak Badminton Association’s (SBA) new badminton hall at Lorong Lapangan Terbang 1 here today.
“I believe we must also focus on a specific category of sports, football being one of them.
“I have asked Karim (Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah) to investigate the issue of football, specifically in terms of football sports management,” he said.
Meanwhile, when asked if any new facilities were to be developed in the State, Abdul Karim responded that 20 mini-stadiums would be constructed throughout the state.
“All sports are overseen by the Sarawak Sports Council (SSC). There are various clubs and associations under it, one of which is the SBA.
“Each sports association is given some leeway to grow. We will provide the necessary funding, but we also hope that the private sector will contribute because managing sports is incredibly costly,” he explained.
He also stated that the SBA is lucky to have the support of Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad (Press Metal) in developing badminton in the State.
“SBA is given RM5 million over five years, one million per year, and this entire new wing has ten courts inside, all sponsored by Press Metal.
“This is excellent, and we hope that other corporate sectors will identify and adopt one sport,” Abdul Karim added. — DayakDaily
