By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Nov 11: The Sarawak government is planning to build a High Performance Sports Centre (HPC), Sarawak F1 Go-Kart Circuit and a velodrome under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said these projects are among the 13 new projects that the state government has in store to boost the standard of sports in Sarawak.
The other 10 new projects are establishing aSkeet & Trap, and Pistol Range at Sarawak Shooting Range, Kuching; LED Lighting System for Stadium Sarawak, Stadium Negeri, Padang C, Padang D and street lighting at Petra Jaya; Sarawak Sports Museum, Kuching ; upgrading of stadium and sports facilities to a Smart Stadium concept, Kuching ; upgrading of running tracks at all stadiums in Sarawak; hostel upgrade at Bukit Lima to Majlis Sukan Negeri Office, Sibu; building artificial hockey turf fields in Sibu and Miri; and the construction of Kapit Sports and Convention Centre.
Some of these projects announced by Abdul Karim in his winding up speech today at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly here today encompass the building of new facilities while others are upgrading of existing sports infrastructure. It also involves the procurement of high performance sports equipment for coaching programmes and training.
“It will also optimise the performance, interaction and utilisation of stadiums and other sporting venues. We will undertake the commercialisation of sports facilities that will enhance the public’s engagement at the respective sports venues, and better administration and management of sports in the community,” said Abdul Karim.
He added these proposed projects will be implemented in phases during 12MP and they will be equipped with international standard facilities and equipment to house international events, indoor sports activities, training and competitions.
“It will also act as a mechanism to curb social issues by encouraging youths to be actively engaged in sporting activities and at the same enhance, sports tourism in the state.”
On the establishment of the HPC, Abdul Karim who is Asajaya assemblyman said it will be a centre where the latest sports science approach will be taken to equip local athletes with integrated sports science (ISS) components of psychology, nutrition, strength and conditioning, performance analysis, performance recovery, rehabilitation and performance planning.
“These will be guided by the mission to achieve Sarawak’s vision of becoming the nation’s ‘Sports Powerhouse’ by 2024,” said Abdul Karim.
He said the High Performance Unit under Sarawak Sports Corporation has engaged a beta programme for testing and injury screening, with partipation from 550 athletes throughout Sarawak.
“This programme was formulated for athletes across 33 sports to test and access. This programme is imperative for the preparation for SUKMA 2020 in Johor. Results have shown that 27 per cent of our local athletes’ performance level has improved.
“Progressively, there are series of projects undertaken by the High Performance Unit including the High Performance Gymnasium Conditioning Centre designed for athletes to raise their level of performance and quality with their respective sports arena.
“The second is a customised Sports Rehabilitation Centre which enables athletes to be treated for injuries and post-operative procedures such as ultrasound and soft tissue manipulation, including natural treatment via Pilates, as an avenue for athletes to return to their sports arena in the safest way and quickest possible time.
“Thirdly is the designing and construction of Sarawak’s first High Performance Centre, which includes sports facilities such as Dry Gym Indoor Training areas for gymnastics and diving, a proposed running and sprint track for athletics, training area for explosive sports like Athletic Throws and Invasion Power Sports, fully furnished gymnasium with sports specific conditioning, together with a laboratory for research, innovation and biomechanics testing.
“This facility will be accessible for the state’s athletes and members of the public in 2022,” he said. — DayakDaily
