New department to manage Sukma sports facilities

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File photo of the RM163 million aquatics centre.

File photo of the RM163 million aquatics centre.

KUCHING: A new department will be formed to manage sports facilities built for the recent Sukma.

Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the new department would ensure all the sports facilities are properly maintained.

He said the government would work with the respective sports associations.

“For example, if the sports venue and facilities are for badminton, then we want a badminton association to manage it as it will know best how to do that,” he told reporters when sending off 150 Haj pilgrims on Wednesday.

Abdul Karim said Sarawak will be able to produce many sporting champions in the near future, judging from the very good results at school-level over the last 15 years.

“Our school athletes have proven that they can excel in sports they compete in and, because of this, I am confident we can produce athletes of calibre and be the sports powerhouse,” he said.

Abdul Karim said the way forward for these athletes to excel is to get professional guidance and training from sports associations.

It was reported that the state government invested some RM260 million to build and upgrade sports facilities for the 18th Sukma.

The new aquatics centre was the most expensive facility at RM163 million.