KUCHING: Over 8,000 athletes and officials are expected to converge at the Malaysian Games (Sukma) to be held in Sarawak next year.
Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu said the state was therefore making the necessary preparations.
“We are targeting Sukma to be held in July next year and we have to work hard because there are less than 500 days to go,” he said.
“Now, we are studying and auditing the sports facilities that need to be upgraded,” he said, adding, “we want to expedite the refurbishment and upgrading of the facilities.”
He said this at a press conference after officiating at the opening of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Junior Team Competition Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying U14 Boys Team Event at the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) Centre on Monday (Mar 27).
Rentap added that among the preparations for Sukma was to meet with local universities to discuss accommodation for the athletes and officials.
“We are expecting 8,000 athletes (and officials) coming in. Let’s say in Kuching, the hotels are not enough to accommodate 8,000 people.
“So, we are looking at putting them up in the hostels at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and so on. I was informed that their semester holidays will start towards the end of July.
“So, by this week, we will be having a meeting with the committee involved to discuss the accommodation needed for the athletes,” he said.
On the sports facilities, he said the necessary refurbishment and upgrading works would be done accordingly.
“We are looking at Sukma not going being held in Kuching alone, but also in Sibu, Miri and maybe Bintulu.
“Therefore, we are able to host the games but in terms of facilities, there is a need for some upgrading,” he said.
On a related note, he said it would be good to see Sarawak emerge the overall champion during Sukma.
