Sharifah Nor Atiqah Wan Othman
Muhammad Amir Aisa’muddin Mohammad Marzuki
SRI AMAN: People here want better sports facilities and activities to encourage healthy lifestyles among the youths.
Kapitan Tay Siaw Chuan pointed out there is hardly any sport events organised nowadays.
“For examples, basketball competition are organised only once or twice a year while volleyball competition is held once a year.”
Despite the low number of local sports tournaments organised here response from the youth has been very poor.
“The youths need to be encouraged to take up more sports activities but how can we do so when we are lacking in facilities.
“They usually do not have any other activities to do except for hanging out at the coffee shops browsing their phones,” he said.
According to Tay, this is quite sad as Sri Aman was considered a ‘stronghold’ of volleyball in the state back in the 1980s.
He also pointed out that there are no colleges in Sri Aman.
“More youths are furthering their studies outside town such as to Kuching and eventually moved out from Sri Aman.”
“If we have a technical college at least some of the local students can further their studies here,” Tay said.
Muhammad Amir Aisa’muddin Mohammad Marzuki agreed that there should be more sports facilities and events in Sri Aman.
“I can see more hobbyist groups such as cyclists and big bikers popping up here. It would be nice if we have more events held for them.
“Facility wise, if you want to play badminton for example, you have to go to the civic centre where the spaces are limited,” he said.
Amir added that the young civil servants such as policemen and firemen can play sports at their quarters’ facilities but there is lack of choices for the public.
According to the 22-year-old receptionist, the most common activity among the youths is ‘lepak’ (hangout) especially during weekends.
Food operator Sharifah Nor Atiqah Wan Othman, 22 admitted the lack of activities in Sri Aman is causing most youths to spend their time hanging out with their friends.
“Most of us would hang out at the waterfront area just passing times. Those who are health-conscious jog at the civic centre.”
She hopes that bowling alley and more sports facilities would be built here.