Dr Gregory Hii
Ting Siew Nguong
SIBU: The allegation of an officer at Tun Zaidi Stadium here refusing to release the equipment for school athletics meets and also to be used by the athletes is a longstanding issue.
According to Sibu Division Athletics Association (SDAA) secretary Ting Siew Nguong, such case would only hamper the growth of local sports – if it were to be left unresolved.
It has been made known that coaches from various schools, irked by the situation, have jointly forwarded a written complaint to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports – addressed to the ministry’s permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee.
Ting also said following complaints from local coaches, he had called up the officer-in-charge of the stadium.
“I was told that they (stadium management) were in the process of writing off the equipment – that was some two years ago. Sadly (till today) the problem has not been solved.
“We are short of starting blocks for sprint, shot putt, javelin and discus.
“They (the existing ones) are still in good condition, despite being written off as claimed,” he said.
He said with the Sibu Open Championships slated for Sept 8 and 9 this year, it warrants prompt intervention from the ministry.
“Further delays will only demoralise the athletes and their coaches,” Ting lamented, believing that such problem is unheard of at stadiums in other divisions.
In his remarks, SDAA chairman Dr Gregory Hii described the matter as ‘something very disappointing’.
He said government officials should work closely with those from the local sports bodies in advancing the development of sports.
He said the management of the stadium is expected to provide sports equipment to the athletes and also for the running of various sports events.
In this regard, Hii suggested that a dialogue with the ministry’s permanent secretary to be arranged as soon as possible.
Meanwhile Tun Zaidi Stadium officer-in-charge Sibli Yusof, when contacted, denied being unwilling to help.
In clarifying the matter, he pointed out that some of the equipment had already been written off and were slated for Public Works Department (JKR)’s surveying job before being disposed of.
“These pieces of equipment are over 10 years old – some are even unfit for use now. We would not want to take the blame should anything bad happen to our athletes,” he stressed.
Sibli said he acknowledged the needs of SDAA and the athletes, striving to do his best to assist.
As such, he had to dismiss the claims about some pieces of the equipment still in good condition.
“What appears to be good outside may not be good inside. So it is better to not use this weathered equipment to prevent any untoward incident,” he said.