Sports complex for rural area in Sarawak
SANTUBONG: At least one of 14 new sports complexes to be built under the 2018 Budget will be constructed in a rural area in Sarawak.
The pledge was made by Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin before more than 450 people, who attended the “Randau Transformasi Nasional 50 Begulai Enggau Etnik Sarawak” at the Sarawak Cultural Village here yesterday.
“In the budget recently announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, RM112 million will be set aside to build 14 new sports complexes.
“I will make sure that one of the sports complexes will be constructed in a rural area in the state.
“I have faith that Sarawak can produce athletes who can make the country proud in the global arena,” he said.
The dialogue was moderated by Telang Usan state assemblyman Dennis Ngau.
Present were state Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, his assistant Datuk Snowdan Lawan and Layar state assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu.
On a related matter, Khairy said he endorsed the proposal by the state government for the Education Ministry to establish a sports school in Sarawak.
Khairy said the state government had identified SMK Demak Baru, located next to a sports complex in Petra Jaya near here, that could be turned into a sports school.
“It is a low-hanging fruit since SMK Demak Baru only needs a hostel facility and to adopt a sports school curriculum.
“I will discuss the proposal with Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid since the establishment of sports schools is under the prerogative of his ministry.”