Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah
KUCHING: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah is hoping that the new federal government under the leadership of Pakatan Harapan (PH) will be fair in providing sports facilities and ensure that all states enjoy equal share.
He said athletes in Sarawak and Sabah have long faced difficulties in improving their performance when compared to their counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia because sports schools in both states are lacking facilities.
“It can’t be denied that the chance for East Malaysia athletes to improve their performance is difficult because there are no complete facilities built in both states.
“The sports school in Sabah is only for two or three sports. Sarawak is even more pitiful.
“The Sarawak Sports School SMK Tabuan Jaya is a boarding school but is called a sports school,” he said.
The Asajaya assemblyman also hoped that the new government would be more transparent, especially in deciding major decision involving sports in the country.
“We do often hear of ‘high handed decision’ are made by high ranking officials or ministers without hearing the views of the sports associations or the states involved.
“For example, previously there were three core sports dropped from Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) by the sports minister without thorough research.
“The said sports were only reinstated after strong opposition from the states,” added Karim.
He said the new administration should also continue with the national sports development agenda that was implemented by the previous government.
“With the sudden change in the country’s political scenario as well as a huge change in the ministries including the one looking after sports, my hope is that the quality and administration of sports will be better thus bringing Malaysia to a greater heights in the world of sports,” he said.
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan also stressed that sports should not be politicised and hoped that the new government would be fair to all states in term of sports development.