SIBU: Sibu Volleyball Association (SVA) chairman Dato Moh Wung Ming said the people of Sibu ought to feel proud of the RM10 million Sibu Prudential Volleyball Association Stadium that was completed sometime ago at Rejang Park.
He added that the stadium, built on the initiative of SVA, would serve as a frontier for the development of volleyball not only in the state but also in the country.
‘This is something which the people of Sibu ought to cherish and show their support for a good cause,” he told thesundaypost in an exclusive interview.
Unfortunately, Moh said, certain quarters here continue to pour cold water over the project and alleged that the SVA management was making a profit out of the project.
“There is virtually no truth in it,” a visibly upset Moh asserted, adding that the whole intention was to upgrade the standard of the sport and to help Sarawak remain a powerhouse for volleyball for generations to come.
The stadium, a joint project between SVA and SMC, is believed to be the biggest volleyball stadium in the country with a seating capacity of 3,000.
He said the SVA management had already settled RM7 million of the construction and renovation cost and he himself had also forked out more than RM3 million towards the construction cost.
“We are still in debt of RM3 million and we hope members of the public would play their invaluable role in helping us settle the debt.”
SVA, he continued, recognised the importance of the stadium. “Tell me which sports that do not have its own stadium can flourish in this modern world.
That is impossible. “And with a stadium, there will be a management team, a good coaching board and only then we can get the good and committed players who are willing to play a good game.
All these are inter-related and interdependent.” Moh expressed his gratitude to SMC for providing the land to build the stadium.
He was also thankful to Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh for providing financial support, SMC chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King and deputy chairman Dato Andrew Wong for helping to realise SVA’s dream.
The SVA are planning to host two international volleyball tournaments at the stadium in January and June 2016.