By Shikin Louis
BAU, May 17: Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has acknowledged the diving potential among Bidayuh youth and said the government is open to considering a small aquatic facility in Bau—if a formal proposal is made.
Abdul Karim said Bau, which is only 20 minutes away from Kuching, shows strong potential in aquatic sports, particularly diving, due to the natural talent observed among the Bidayuh community.
“If the facility in Kuching is good enough already, then there’s no point having too many. But from a practical standpoint and of course, taking into account financial considerations, we can always consider a small aquatic centre or an area with a swimming pool here in Bau,” he said during a press conference after officiating the Bau Sports Carnival at Bau Indoor Stadium here today.
The idea, he added, is not only to support future athletes but also to provide families and local youth with exposure to swimming and aquatic activities.
When asked if Bau currently has any public swimming pool, Tasik Biru assemblyman Dato Henry Harry Jinep responded, “Belum ada (not yet),” to which Abdul Karim remarked that other than hotel pools, such facilities are lacking.
He stressed that should there be a request from local leaders or the community, “we will be willing to consider it.”
Earlier in his speech, Abdul Karim said certain ethnic communities in Sarawak, including the Bidayuh, Orang Ulu and Iban, possess natural physical attributes that give them an edge in specific sports.
His observations were backed by discussions with sports scientists at the Institute of Sports Malaysia (ISN) in Bukit Jalil, who confirmed that certain body types are better suited to specific sports disciplines.
In the case of the Bidayuh community, for example, they have produced top-tier athletes such as Olympic silver medalist Datuk Pandelela Rinong and national diver Bertrand Rhodict Lises.
“The Bidayuh body structure is ideal for diving—not too tall, not too short—and this helps with the acrobatics involved.
“You cannot expect someone who is six or seven feet tall to perform a perfect dive. The science of sports shows us how different physiques have different advantages,” he explained.
Also present at the event were Deputy Minister of Transport (Maritime and Riverine) cum Tasik Biru assemblyman, Datuk Henry Harry Jinep; Member of Parliament Datuk Willie Mongin; Kuching Resident Dayang Hajah Joanita Azizah Abang Morshidi; and Bau District Officer, Eddy Nayoi. – DayakDaily
