Khairy pushing the air-horn to start the tug-of-war which was won by DBNA Mukah branch. Seen on Khairy’s right are State BN Youth Chief and Minister of Works Datuk Fadillah Yusof and BN candidate Yussibnosh on his left.
MUKAH: The Ministry of Youth and Sports has a long-term plan to develop sports in Sarawak, said Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
“I have indicated to the Government of Sarawak that besides the Sukma which will be held in Sarawak after Perlis, I also want to bring some of the 2017 Sea Games’ events here to Sarawak and not just in KL,” Khairy told the media after officiating the 1Malaysia Games at Mukah Indoor Stadium here over the weekend.
He said among the events which could be brought to Sarawak is aquatics.
“And out of the activities that we hope to bring to Sarawak (after we do some feasibility studies) is aquatics since the government is now building a world-class aquatics centre in Kuching, so we want to showcase this during the Sea Games,” he said.
On the needs of various sports facilities in the state as well as in Mukah, Khairy said he would prefer to take the long-term approach.
“Some of the youth here have asked me personally just now to build a skateboarding facility and so on. We can consider their requests. But we don’t want to announce just it here just for the sake of the by-election.
“I believed they are also looking at a long term commitment which is much better than instant announcements of certain projects. I have asked them to form an association and when they are committed then we can assist,” he said.
When asked on the need for better sports facilities in Sarawak, Khairy, said they are “not too bad” and that the situation in Sarawak were as good as in other parts of the country.
“Of course we can improve on the infrastructure. And here in Mukah, we can definitely assist if Yussibnosh wins the by-election,” said Khairy.
Earlier, during his speech, he challenged the local youth and athletes to emulate national diver Pendalela Rinong, who has made the cuntry proud by becoming the first female athlete to win a medal in the Olympic Games.
Pendalela, a Bidayuh from Kpg Jugan in Bau, is now a global star in diving.