by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 7: Sarawak is taking steps to enhance the local sports infrastructure by studying world-class athlete development systems in Australia.
Led by Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the delegation visited several top-tier high-performance sports facilities in Australia to gain insights into the latest training technologies, methodologies, and facility management used to support the country’s elite athletes.
According to Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas), the visit is also part of ongoing efforts to advance Sarawak’s own High Performance Centre project, set to be constructed at the Sarawak State Sports Complex in Petra Jaya. This centre is a flagship initiative under the Sarawak Sports Development Master Plan, which aims to position the State as a national sports powerhouse.
Slated for completion by 2026 under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), the upcoming centre will provide an international-class training environment focused on physical, mental, and tactical excellence, preparing athletes for major national and international championships.
The delegation visited the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) in Sydney, which provides a world-class daily training environment for over 450 athletes and coaches representing 28 sports at 10 training locations across New South Wales.
The delegation will then head to Canberra to tour the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), a high-performance hub complete with a variety of training facilities, sports science and sports medicine expertise, as well as athlete accommodation and dining halls.
It is also recognised as an Olympic Training Centre and a Paralympic Centre of Excellence which has played a key role in Australia’s sporting achievements.
Among those in the delegation were Deputy Ministers Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu and Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat, Daro assemblyman Safiee Ahmad, Sarawak Deputy State Secretary (Operations) Datu Hii Chang Kee, as well as senior officials and representatives of relevant agencies. – DayakDaily
