MIRI: The Sarawak government will not hesitate to invest in sporting events as the state aims to become a sport powerhouse, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“Sporting events are productive outlets for our young athletes and I believe our young athletes have bright potential,” he added yesterday evening at the opening ceremony of Sukan Sarawak II 2019 at Miri Indoor Stadium here.
“I believe we can unearth more new talents at sporting events who can represent us not only in the next Sukma in Johor but also at international events.
“That is why the Sarawak government will not hesitate to invest in terms of providing sport infrastructure for the benefits of the young local athletes,” he pointed out.
Besides upgrading sport grounds, the Sarawak government would also build more sport complexes, he said.
Abang Johari added that sporting events encouraged athletes to be competitive.
“We foresee sporting events such as Suksar as benchmarks for us to see our athletes’ potential.
“For example, in order to build a cycling track for racing at a velodrome, we need to consult specialists on the design, or emulate New Zealand’s designs as it is well known in the sport,” he said.
A total of 1,500 athletes and officers are involved in this year’s Suksar II 2019.
16 events are being competed this year.
The venues are Miri Stadium (athletes), Miri Swimming Pool, Imperial Mall (weightlifting), Coco Cabana( cycling), Tung Sports Hall (Badminton), SMK Pei Min (Basketball), Miri Indoor Stadium(volleyball and Sepak Takraw), Kelab Rekreasi Petroleum Miri (hockey), Teacher college (IPG Miri campus) in Jalan Bakam(archery), Petronas field (Petanque), Curtin University (Rugby), Giant Permymall (Silat), Pei Min squash courts(Squash), Permaisuri Mall (Boxing) and Eternity E-Sport arena in Piasau (E-Sport).
Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Youth and Sports Assistant Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Sibuti MP Lukanisaman Awang Sauni, Lambir assemblyman Ripin Lamat and Miri District officer Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf.
