Fazzrudin (right) shares his notes with a reporter on the third day of the DUN Sitting.
THE state government should consider building a race circuit in the city not only to promote motorsports, but also as an indirect way to curb illegal racing.
According to Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, motor racing has strong potential to be promoted among the locals, in that there have been many drag races being run here — an activity that is fast gaining popularity among local motorsports enthusiasts.
Moreover, he viewed that the establishment of a permanent racing venue would enable the state to host various motorsports events and at the same time, promote other downstream activities that would benefit tourism and other services such as food and beverage.
In this respect, Fazzrudin suggested the parking lots at Sarawak Stadium as the potential site to be turned into a dual-purpose site — one that could also function as racing tracks.
“This year, I was directly involved in the organising of Petra Jaya Drag Race in Matang and we managed to attract participation from numerous states across the peninsula as well as those from Thailand, Singapore and also a world-champion drag racer from Greece.
“Motor racing is very popular in the state, as well as at national and international levels.
“Therefore, I hope that the government would look into building a race circuit in a permanent locality to promote the state as a national grand prix venue, able to attract international organisers and participants,” he said while debating the Governor’s speech during the assembly sitting here yesterday.
On other sport-related matters, Fazzrudin congratulated Kuching Division Football Association (KDFA) over the victory of the Kuching team at the inaugural ‘People’s Football Championship League’, which hosted 111 teams from across the country.
He hoped that through the league — organised by Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) — the city team would qualify for FAM third-tier league.
“Such success goes to show that Sarawak is capable in producing (sports) champions — with the right planning, efforts and strong cooperation between sports bodies and the government.”
Fazzrudin also urged KDFA to forge strong collaboration with the state government on promoting football development to its full potential so that the state could find success at national level.
The assemblyman then highlighted state champions such as late bodybuilder Bujang Taha, former swimmer Tania Bugo, boxer Sapok Biki, sprinter Watson Nyambek and also national diving queen Pandelela Rinong Pamg — all of whom have made Sarawak proud.
“They should be seen as the standard or benchmark to attain for in producing future athletes,” he added.