(From right) Gan, Abdul Karim, Manyin, Morshidi, Dr Ting, Lau, Moh and Malaysia Volleyball Association president Dr Gregory Hii at the press conference yesterday.
SIBU: Minister of Youth, Sports and Solidarity Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong has called for more private and multi-national companies to come forward to help build sports infrastructure in the state.
Taking note that such infrastructure was not cheap, he said there was much dependence on the government all these years.
“Take for example the 18th Malaysian Games (Sukma) where the state government has spent about RM400 million on the infrastructures.
“To stage the event, we have to spend another RM50 million. So it is very expensive,” he told a press conference after officiating at the opening of Sibu Volleyball Association (SVA) Indoor Volleyball Stadium in Rejang Park here yesterday.
Manyin revealed that the stadium cost RM10 million, of which RM3 million was initiated by Prudential Assurance Malaysia Berhad and the rest came from non-governmental organisations.
“The state government helped in the form of sports equipment costing RM700,000,” he added.
“Sarawak is extremely proud to have the state-of-the-art facility which is the first of its kind in the country.
“It has come very timely with Sukma to be held from July 22 to 31. We are really grateful to Prudential for the stadium,” he said.
On volleyball, he said Sarawak was very confident of getting the women’s gold medal in the upcoming Sukma.
Earlier, Prudential chief executive officer Gan Leong Him said the stadium was the company’s way of thanking their customers in Sibu.
Also present were State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Morshidi Abdul Ghani who is also the organising committee chairman for the 18th Sukma, Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sibu Resident Hii Chang Kee, Sarawak Volleyball Association president Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau, Sibu Volleyball Association president Dr William Ting, chairman Datuk Moh Wung Ming and Dudong assemblyman Datuk Tiong Thai King.