KUCHING, Sept 16: Incentives for Sarawakian Paralympic athletes will be announced at the end of this month, said Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He revealed the paperwork regarding the incentives and awards for the athletes have been forwarded to the State Cabinet.
“The main incentives will be provided to the athletes by the federal government, and the State government will be giving half of its value,” Karim told reporters during a homecoming event for Sarawakian Paralympic athletes at Kuching International Airports (KIA), today.
On another note, Abdul Karim disclosed there is a possibility that sports activity which involves physical contact will be allowed following a relaxation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) by the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).
He explained currently, sports activity involving physical contact are not allowed in Sarawak, but since there is already smoe flexibility being incorporated into the SOPs (for entering Sarawak), this will also include sporting activities.
Yesterday, he pointed out that the process of entering the State has been relaxed, which mean the process for the reopening of various sectors, be it tourism or sports, will also be included.
“This will also apply to those who are involved in the Sukma (Malaysia Games) as they need to undergo their training programme,” he added.
Meanwhile, Abdul Karim disclosed the Sarawak government plans to build a Centre of High Performance equipped with facilities to improve the potential of Sarawakian athletes to compete at higher levels.
The facilities, which he liken to those at the Bukit Jalil Sports Complex, will be build at the Sarawak Sports Complex in Petra Jaya.
“Indeed, we have a long-term plan to develop our athletes so that they can become better to compete at the State, national as well as world-level, and will focus on streamlining (sic) the athletes.
“Currently, even though the facilities have yet to be built, but we have started the training programme for the athletes using the existing building,” he said. — DayakDaily
