By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, May 19: The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak has estimated that upgrading and repairing works for Meradong Sports Complex would cost around RM5 million.
Its deputy minister, Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu, said the ministry had submitted the project’s priority list during the Mid-Term Review Budget Examination in March 2023 with the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and State Financial Secretary (SFS).
“The scope proposed under the upgrading works includes a synthetic resurfacing track for running track, football field inclusive subsoil drainage and repair works for grandstand roofing, toilets, drains, fencing as well as other related building works,” he said at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.
He was replying to Meradong assemblyman Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing’s question regarding the latest status of the proposed upgrading of the said sports complex.
According to Gerald, the ministry plans to conduct basic leadership and management courses in Meradong to encourage the youth to be involved in community activities.
He said his ministry believes youth associations are the best medium for forming good leaders to administer and manage organisations.
He also said this would inculcate leadership values, confidence, volunteerism, and the development of future leaders.
“Among the objective of the program are to produce youth leaders who are knowledgeable and skilled as one of the fundamental parts of leadership, a platform to identify leadership talents and strength, as well as giving awareness to participants about the importance of leadership values,” he added.
Apart from that, he said, as part of the effort to promote activities for youth in Meradong, there was also Sarikei Innovation Centre near Meradong that cater for courses in the digital economy.
“This has been a huge success as many youths have participated and utilised the centre as part of the digital enhancement.
“In efforts to find new talents, the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) and my ministry have established several sports development centres in the Meradong area.
“SSC is also making plans to open several more ‘Pusat eEit Permulaan’ for sports such football, speak takraw, ping pong, and field events,” he said. — DayakDaily
