PLEASE RECTIFY: Lim (right) explaining to Ling on the central gate of the stadium which is not locked during sports events giving easy access which results in interruption.
MIRI: Complaints from the public are up sharply about the bad shape of the outdoor stadium, raising questions of its serious effect on the city’s image.
As the centrepiece of the city’s sports events where most athletic events are held, Miri Stadium appears to have fallen into disrepair.
“Miri Stadium’s synthetic running track has become an eyesore as it has worn out badly over the years,” said Piasau assemblyman Alan Ling Sie Kiong after paying a visit to the sports facility recently.
Ling in a statement yesterday said he had received grouses about the poor condition of the stadium’s facilities, and went to check it out. He met Chung Hua Middle School athletic coach Lim Teck Leong, who was there for a school sports programme.
“The most important piece of the stadium facility is its long and red running track, which is turning grey after much use and neglect over the years,” Ling noted who reasoned it should not happen if there was a good maintenance programme to resurface it regularly.
From feedback, Ling also found other problems like the way the central gate was left opened during sports events, causing interruption by people who entered the field.
He also noted design problems like the long jump running track which was positioned too close to the central gate, allowing for potential accidents involving the competing athlete and people who enter the field.
“The central gate should be closed when sports events are going on, and access to the field should be controlled through the use of side gates to minimise interruption and accidents,” he said.
Ling also pointed out other minor problems including the poor shape of the long jump sand pit which holds sand that was not sufficiently replenished for sports events, and which were too hard and rough for athletes.
Besides looking into the state of its sports facilities like the stadium, he hoped that the government would also seek feedback from users before it affects sports development and reputation of the city.
“The neglect and poor design of the stadium does not reflect Miri’s commitment to sports and it being selected as one of the country’s sports research centre,” he added.