Auld Lang Syne to old sports administration

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SSC takes over sports in Sarawak from today for vision 2020 — Mawan

Ong and Mawan (right) showing the SSC logo during their meeting at Mawan’s office at Masja, Petra Jaya, in Kuching.

Ong and Mawan (right) showing the SSC logo during their meeting at Mawan’s office at Masja, Petra Jaya, in Kuching.

KUCHING: Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom announced on Wednesday that Sarawak Sports Corporation Ordinance 2009 will come into force from today.

As such, Sarawak Stadium Corporation shall cease to exist and the management committee members established shall cease to exercise its powers, said Mawan whose ministry is also in charge of sports in Sarawak. All rights, assets and liabilities will be transferred to and vested in Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC), he explained.

The establishment of SSC was made after the repeal of Sarawak Stadium Corporation Ordinance 1972 (Ord. No. 1/72) and also Sarawak Stadium Corporation (Repeal) Ordinance 2007 (Cap.A 135). The statutory ordinance governing SSC would now be Sarawak Sports Corporation Ordinance 2009 which has been passed by the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) on May 13, 2009.

On top of that, said Mawan, the official appointment of the chief executive officer (CEO) of SSC will take effect from tomorrow. In fact, SSC CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee was appointed on Jan 2, 2014. He and his team have studied and laid a foundation for the structure, functions and strategic plans for the new organisation to start its operation.

The SSC has three main functions. Firstly, the corporation will be responsible for the management and maintenance of sports complexes and facilities in the state, providing adequate facilities for the use of public, sports bodies and other end users.

Secondly, it will be taking charge of sports development in the state; to make recommendations to the state government on policies and methodologies for improvement of sports; to collaborate with all state sports associations and any other sports bodies in carrying out sporting activities; to provide support to sports bodies, sportspersons, coaches, sports administrators and officials at all levels in executing the action plans.

Finally, the SSC is to handle administrative functions such as promoting sports complexes and facilities, conducting R&D, and managing the sports assets and inventory.

Mawan said the direction of SSC is what they had envisioned itself to be – the nation’s sports powerhouse by 2020.

“Employees of the corporation are committed to develop and manage sports professionally to produce world-class athletes for the nation. Certainly, the short term goal is to be Sukma champion in 2016. When it comes to strategic direction, the corporation has targeted five strategic themes and results as follows – Sports Talent Development Excellence; Sports R&D Excellence; Sports Infrastructure & Facilities Excellence; Performance & Recognition Excellence; Performance & Recognition Excellence; and Sports Funding Excellence,” said Mawan.

To realise all these, among the strategies of SSC are to make sure that there will be ample supply of talent for core sports by 2020; introduce innovative approaches in sports management; make sure that 100 per cent of targeted sports are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities by 2020 and that 80 per cent of targeted sports association activities are self financed by 2020. On top of that, SSC aims to achieve 72 gold medals in Sukma 2016, Mawan pointed out.

“The strategic themes and results are to be achieved through the planned activities and the corporation has set clear objectives and KPIs in order to reach the targets,” he added.

When asked what will happen to Sarawak Sports Council (or MSNS) and its current director, Ong said he would still be MSNS director.

“MSNS will be incorporated into SSC structure. CEO of SSC will act as the director of MSNS at the same time,” he explained.

He also revealed the good news that staff of Perbadanan Stadium Negeri Sarawak (PNSN) and MSNS will be absorbed into SSC.

On the role of SSC in Sukma 2016, Ong said: “The corporation will facilitate all efforts involved in hosting the event and the state is aiming to be Sukma champion in 2016. We are very ready as far as Sukma facilities are concerned. All identified venues will be well equipped by March 2016.”

On Wednesday, Ong paid a courtesy call on Mawan to discuss on the future direction of SSC and also the state’s preparation for Sukma 2016 at his (Mawan) office at Masja, Petra Jaya here. They also discussed on the logo of SSC which is to be used in official letter heads of the corporation.

“The logo will have the shape of a hornbill with Sarawak flag colour and the term ‘SSC’ forming the body of the bird. The horn is gold in colour,” said Ong.