Ong: Top priority to restore Sarikei Sports Complex

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Ong (right) looking at the damaged track at the Sarikei Sports Complex.

Ong (right) looking at the damaged track at the Sarikei Sports Complex.

KUCHING: Restoration of the Sarikei Sports Complex to its former glory, will be the top priority for Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) in expediting the necessary repair works to the sports facility.

“We will make it our top priority to restore the Sarikei Sports Complex to what it was once before but in order to achieve that, there are a lot of necessary repair works to be done and it will be done,” said SSC chief executive officer Dr Ong Kong Swee in a press statement to the local media recently.

Ong had personally gone to the ground to inspect and assess the actual damage at the sports complex which was once the pride of the public in Sarikei who had frequently used the facilities there for sporting and leisure events.

“Sarikei is well known for its athletes who had represented not only Sarawak but also Malaysia at international level …this is why we must repair the damages and restore the facilities to its normal conditions or even to improve them,” Ong said.

According to him, the state government had recently approved and allocated substantial funds for the necessary works to be done at the complex but the extent of damages and deteriorating conditions would certainly require additional costs. “The complex is a popular venue for locals to indulge in sports, leisure and recreational activities but the conditions there such as the rubberised track needs to be replaced and undertaking such measures will definitely incur substantial costs because of technical requirements and standard specifications which must be met,” said Dr Ong who is also Sarawak State Sports Council director.

However, Ong expressed optimism to improve the present state of the sports complex which had been used by many budding athletes such as Grace Wong who is in the national hammer throw and is expected to compete in the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.

“On behalf of SSC, we truly appreciate the support given by the state government especially Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem himself who had generously recently presented a grant of RM3.5 million towards this cause,” added Ong. On another note, SSC had made it a priority to ensure that the sporting venues and facilities are accessible to the general public throughout Sarawak in line with the government’s efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle among the people as well as for greater unity and solidarity through sports and games.