FOR YOU: Assistant Minister of Sports, Datuk Lee Kim Shin Lee (second right) presents mock cheque to Miri Division Rugby Union (MDRU) president, Antonio as association treasurer Bunyamin Matnor (left) and deputy secretary, Sylvia Lian look on.
MIRI: Miri Division Rugby Union (MDRU) is need of a proper rugby field to implement its long-term goals and development programme.
Its president Antonio Kahti Galis said the association needs the facility to produce good players and champion teams.
“Normally, we conducted our tournaments at the football field of Ministry of Social Development and Urbanisation (KPSU) Miri office,” he told the media during the cheque presentation ceremony with Assistant Minister of Sports Datuk Lee Kim Shin held at Miri Resident office yesterday..
“Since Curtin Sarawak had their owned rugby field, some of the games were held at the university. However, we still conducted our training at KPSU’s field as we do not wanted to interrupt the daily routine training of the Curtin’s rugby team,” he added
In view of that, Lee has asked MDRU to submit a proper and comprehensive proposal on the request to the ministry and said every effort will be made to support the request made.
The minister who gave away a RM3,000 grant to the association suggested perhaps the intended facility could possibly be built at Permyjaya new township.
At the same time, he also requested for MDRU to work closely with Sarawak Rugby Union (SRU) to develop a centre of excellent for the development of rugby in the state.
“If we start at the very young age, the chances for these young athletes to excel in respective sport field relatively high,” Lee said on efforts to promote and develop good sportsmanship among the young generation must be done at earlier age. Thus, he wanted the MDRU to intensify its existing school rugby programme among primary schools and that the programme must also include development of athletes, technical development, refereeing and coaching.
At the moment, seven secondary schools under the union’s development programme namely SMK Pujut, SM Sains Miri, SM Teknik Miri, SMK Luar Bandar, SMK Baru, SMK Lutong and SMK Dato Permaisuri.
Also present during the function were MDRU treasurer Bunyamin Matnor and deputy secretary Sylvia Lian.