Karim (seated fourth right), Snowdan (third right), Lee (fourth left), Hii (third left) and other guests with the grant recipients. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports is encouraging more sports associations to organise major international competitions in Sarawak.
Its minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said by doing so, the sports associations are not only helping the government to promote sports tourism but also make Sarawak a tourist destination.
He said in recent years, Sarawak have been organising a number of international sports events that had generated tourism revenue that contributed to the state economy.
“To realise the mission of making Sarawak a favourite destination for sports tourism, we need to organise many international events to attract the athletes from outside the state.
“Some of the associations have already organising international competitions such as the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association under its president Dato Patrick Liew has been doing a good job organising the ITF World Junior Circuit for so many years,” he said at the Appreciation and Sports Grant Presentation ceremony at a renowned hotel on Thursday evening.
However, he hoped the events organisers would link up with the Sarawak Tourism Board or other tourism related industry players to organise other programmes for the athletes and their accompanying officials and family members such as sight-seeing and visiting tourist attractions in Kuching and other parts of the state.
Among the international sports events that will be held this year are Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships in April, the Premier 101 International Charity Armwrestling Competition and Vendetta Top 8 in the same month, World Masters Badminton Championship in October and the Asia Masters Athletics Championship in December.
The minister said in the efforts to reach out to the youth, the Sarawak government has recently approved RM3.7 billion for the Youth Roadshow that will involve 40 districts in Sarawak starting this April until next year for the development of youth.
“This programme is aimed at encouraging the youth to contribute to the development of the state,” added Karim.
According to Karim, the grants were for 39 sports associations amounting RM4,485,000 and eight youth and sports bodies amounting RM864,600 for a total of RM5,349,600.
Karim also reminded the grant recipients to produce reports of their annual activities as the amount of the grants will depend on how many activities or competitions they organise every year.
“We always welcome any sports association who wish to organise regional or international sports competitions and we are always ready and there to help you,” he assured.
Among those present were Youth and Sports Assistant Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Hii Chang Kee, Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee and other guests.