KUCHING: The Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), aimed at providing a pathway for Sarawak Development Programme athletes to obtain tertiary education.
The signing ceremony, which was witnessed by state Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, took place during the launch of the Sport Sarawak corporate logo at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre here on Monday (Nov 1).
Speaking to the media, he said such collaborations would provide the opportunity for athletes to further their studies.
“You see, a lot of parents do not encourage their children to get involved in sports, probably because they say there is no future in sports.
“We are trying to put aside this kind of thinking, so that state athletes have an avenue to get into public universities.
“When you are a state athlete, you have to undergo so much training and it will make it more difficult because you are busy training and at the same time you are hoping to get good grades. Sometimes it does have some effects.
“So, at least there is a chance for the athletes to pursue the courses that they like to do in Unimas be they sports-related courses or other academic subjects.”
He added that SSC was also working with Curtin University in Miri to provide the same education pathway.
Meanwhile, SSC chief executive officer Dr Ong Kong Swee said SSC was also in discussion with the National Sports Council to set up a sports university in Sarawak.
