Sarawak as destination for foreign athletes to train and compete

LONDON: More foreign athletes and sports teams are expected to come into Sarawak not only for competition but also for training as well.

This was disclosed by Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Snowdan Lawan who expressed optimism for Sarawak to become the training destination for athletes from overseas as the state has established itself as a good venue for international events.

“Sarawak can progressively establish itself as a good training destination for athletes from all over the world because we have high standard sporting and training facilities available locally. Not only that, we had also hosted many international events which had made us popular among local and foreign athletes,” he said.

Sarawak, he disclosed, has received good reviews and salutations from organisers of world- class sporting events who have given their recommendations for similar events to be held on local shores.

“Apart from being hailed as one of the best hosts for international sporting events, Sarawak is also popular among the sporting fraternity in Malaysia because we had successfully organised numerous events which are of high standards such as last year’s 18th Sukma; the Malaysian

Sarawak can progressively establish itself as a good training destination for athletes from all over the world because we have high standard sporting and training facilities available locally. Snowdan Lawan, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports

Paralimpiad Games; Asian Diving Championship and of course the Malaysian Open badminton championship,” Snowdan added.

The assistant minister is current ly represent ing the Sarawak government as an observer in the World Para Athletics Championship in London, United Kingdom from July 14-23.

He is accompanied by Sarawak Sports Corporation chief executive officer Dr Ong Kong Swee and Paralympic Council of Malaysia vice president First Admiral Dato Subramaniam Raman.

On the prospects of Sarawak hosting the 2019 World Para Swimming Championship, the assistant minister said it is made possible with the presence of Pandelela Rinong Aquatics Centre in Petra Jaya which is internationally recognised as a high quality facility.

Meanwhile, Ong revealed that the group from Sarawak are on a working visit to look into the aspects of preparation and hosting of World Paralympic events and get first- hand information and feedback by the organisers of the 2017 World Paralympic Athletics Championship.

“The programme we a re attending is also part and parcel in the preparation for the coming Asia International Masters Athletics which we are planning to host in 2019.

“This visit is good for us because it is on athletics and the IAAF competition that London is presently organising involves both the Para World Championship and IAAF Championship,” Ong said.

According to First Admiral Dato Subramaniam Raman ( R), investing in such international sporting events will certainly promote Sarawak on a global scale and thus promote sports tourism.

“It will also ensure the sports facilities are to be used to the optimum levels… it helps to upkeep the maintenance going and possibly to further upgrade facilities to latest international standards,” he said.