KUCHING: The Sarawak government, through the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development, has announced plans to repurpose the Kuching Civic Centre and improve its services as a public leisure or sport centre.
Its deputy minister Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu said that this proposal was discussed recently with a focus on redefining the centre’s direction and role.
“We want to redefine the purpose of this ‘Dewan Suarah’ (civic centre). We had a ‘lab’ last week, and one of them was to determine the direction to improve services and transform this place to cater to the needs of the public.
“This is actually the people’s park; it is for everyone. You can see youths skateboarding, elders exercising, and the public jogging around the compound. It should be accessible to all,” he said.
He said this while representing the Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah to officiate at the Kuching Division Sarawak X-tive event at the Civic Centre here yesterday (July 21).
In light of the impact of the pandemic on mental health, Rentap encouraged the public to remain active in leisure activities, given their positive effects on physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
“After the pandemic, mental health issues have seen a surge in the state, and staying active can improve our overall well-being, not just physical.
“Besides, communities that are healthy and fit can achieve more and therefore contribute more to society,” he added.
For the record, Sarawak X-tive is an initiative towards sports culture for the wellbeing and unity of the people of Sarawak, in line with the ministry’s vision of ‘Sports for All’ by 2030.
This rendition is organised in conjunction with the Sarawak Merdeka Convoy, while various activities were held at all the main stops of the convoy throughout the state.
Also present was Kuching Division deputy resident Cheong Yaw Liang.
