KUCHING: The hospitality and accommodation industry players are urged to start preparing for the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), which will be hosted in Sarawak in 2027.
According to Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, the industry players need to ensure the state has adequate accommodation for athletes and officials involved in the SEA Games.
“We urge hospitality and accommodation industry players to ensure they provide sufficient, good, clean, and comfortable places for our guests.
“We must create a positive impression for international visitors coming to Sarawak, especially Kuching, so that they take back good memories,” he said when met by reporters after the presentation of incentives to boxing athletes from Sarawak SUKMA at a restaurant here yesterday (Sept 14).
He added that preparations in Sarawak should not only focus on accommodation but also on enhancing sports facilities.
As hosts, Sarawak needs to provide world-class sports facilities that meet the latest international standards.
Snowdon, who is also the assistant chef de mission of boxing at the recent SUKMA XXI, also hopes that the sport will be hosted here due to the large number of boxing enthusiasts in Sarawak.
Meanwhile, the president of the Sarawak Boxing Association (SABA), Datuk Rahman Lariwoo, is confident that Sarawak will host the increasingly popular combat sport.
He said he had discussed with the Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, about including boxing among the 18 sports to be contested in Sarawak during the SEA Games.
“If Sarawak is chosen to host boxing, we plan to hold it at the Petra Jaya Unity Stadium, and I believe that with the strong support of the people of this state and the Sarawak government, boxing will be hosted more grandly here compared to other locations,” he said.
Meanwhile, 11 boxers who won medals at the previous SUKMA received cash incentives from the corporate company Timuran Kembangan Sdn. Bhd., and personal contributions from Snowdan.
Timuran Kembangan Sdn. Bhd. contributed RM1,000 in incentives to gold medal winners only.
Meanwhile, Snowdan’s personal contributions amounted to RM1,000 for gold medal winners, RM500 for silver medalists, and RM300 for bronze medalists.
Snowdan also provided incentives to coaches and team managers.
Also present at the ceremony were deputy secretary of MYSED Dolhadi Marzuki and managing director of Timuran Kembangan Sdn. Bhd. Johnny Ting Su King.
