Sarawak will be bidding to host swimming and diving events in 2017 SEA Games, says assistant minister
Lee (second right) receives the Sukma flag from Khairy while OCM president Tunku Imran (right) and sports ministry chief secretary Datuk Jamil Salleh look on. — Photo by Lim Chee Sem
KUCHING: The RM160-million Sarawak Aquatics Complex can double up as the venue for aquatic events at Sukma XVIII next year and also to host the South-east Asia (SEA) Games in 2017.
Assistant Sports Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who disclosed this on Wednesday, said Sarawak will be bidding to host swimming and diving events in the next SEA Games, bringing the action here.
“Sarawak are hosting Sukma XVIII next year at three venues Kuching, Sibu and Miri. One of the venues is the new Aquatics Complex which is of world standard.
“The design of the Aquatics Complex has been approved by Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (Asum) and Fina and will meet international standards,” he said at the Sukma flag hand over ceremony at Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.
Lee said the Aquatics Complex, which is expected to be completed by end of this year, will be one of the highlights of Sukma XVIII while other facilities are either being built or upgraded.
He added that the upgrading works on the venues had started last year and they are expected to be ready three or four months before the next Sukma so that a test run can be held.
Lee, also Assistant Minister of Communication, said the state government has learned a lot from what had happened at the last Sukma Games in Perlis.
“A lot of problems arose when the venues were only ready at the last minute.”
“We have submitted a request to host aquatic events of SEA Games 2017 to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and in principle, he has verbally agreed to the matter,” said Lee.
As the National Sports Complex at Bukit Jalil will be undergoing renovation works at the end of the year in preparation for hosting the SEA Games, the national divers and swimmers will not be able to train at the national aquatics centre.
As such, Lee welcomed the national athletes to train at the then newly completed Aquatics Complex.
“Sarawak athletes have done very well in international competitions and like at the recent SEA Games in Singapore, they have helped the national contingent capture nine gold medals,” said Lee.
Also present at the Sukma flag presentation were Olympic Council of Malaysia president Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Ja’afar and chief secretary to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Datuk Jamil Salleh.