KUCHING: Sarawak state government announced 13 new sports projects, including a High-Performance Sports Centre to be built at Petra Jaya, under the state 12th Malaysia Plan, in the state’s vision of becoming the nation’s ‘Sports Powerhouse’ by 2024.
State Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the centre was to embark on a platform using the latest sports science approach in providing local athletes an integrated sports science component of psychology; nutrition; strength and conditioning; as well as performance analysis, recovery, rehabilitation and planning.
“A crucial factor towards this establishment, the High-Performance Centre under Sarawak Sports Corporation has engaged a beta programme for testing and injury screening, which 550 athletes throughout Sarawak had participated in. This programme was formulated for athletes to be tested and accessed across 33 sports.
“This programme is imperative for the preparation of Sukma 2020 in Johor. Results have shown that 27 per cent of our local athletes’ performance level has improved,” he said when winding up the debate on the state’s Supply 2020 Bill at the state assembly sitting today.
He said other new projects proposed include Sarawak F1 Go Karting Circuit, a velodrome, Skeet & Trap and Pistol Range at Sarawak Shooting Range and Sarawak Sports Museum, all of which to be built in Petra Jaya; new artificial hockey fields in Sibu and Miri; and a new Sports and Convention Centre in Kapit.
Abdul Karim said the state government was also looking at installing LED Lightings at Petra Jaya Sports Complex and upgrading it into Smart Stadium Concept as well as upgrading of running track at all stadiums in the state, while a hostel at Bukit Lima, Sibu, was proposed to be upgraded into State Sports Council office.
“These proposed projects will be implemented in phases during the 12th Malaysia Plan and to be equipped with international standard facilities and equipment as an avenue 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,” he said. – Bernama
