KUCHING: Organising world-class sports events in Sarawak provides opportunities to place the state on the global sports map.
North Kuching City Hall (DBKU) Mayor Datuk Junaidi Reduan said international sports tournaments and competitions also play a role in restimulating Sarawak’s tourism sector following the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition to promoting sports activities, he said this is in line with the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) in which tourism is one of the pillars to make Sarawak a developed state by 2030.
“Sports tournaments and competitions can boost the state’s sports tourism sector thus helping to restore the state’s economy which was affected by the pandemic,” he said during the Muaythai Piala TYT Sarawak 2023 fighters’ introduction session at Waterfront Kuching yesterday (May 11).
Junaidi commended the Muaythai Association of Sarawak (PMNS) for its continuous efforts and commitment to elevate muaythai’s popularity in the state.
He assured that DBKU will continue to support sports events to provide a platform for the community, especially the youth, to be active in healthy activities.
Meanwhile, PMNS president Jumaat Ibrahim said the association has proposed for Bintulu to be the venue for muaythai for 21st Malaysian Games (SUKMA) 2024.
He said this is to promote Bintulu to visitors and participants as well as provide economic opportunities for the local people.
“We want to take this opportunity to promote other parts of Sarawak, besides Kuching. As such, we are being proactive by proposing to the state government to make Bintulu a venue for SUKMA 2024.
“We hope that the proposal will be taken into consideration and approved by the state government,” he said.
More than 200 participants, including from abroad, are set to compete in various categories in the Muaythai Piala TYT Sarawak 2023 from May 12 to 14.
Foreign countries participating are Thailand, Cambodia, Yemen, Singapore, Philippines, and Morocco.
