Pandelela tries out new Aquatics Centre
KUCHING: The RM163 million Sarawak Aquatics Centre in Petra Jaya, completed on time and on budget, was handed over to Sarawak Sports Corporation ( SSC) in a simple ceremony yesterday.
The handover was witnessed by Social Development Minister Tan Sri Dato Sri William Mawan Ikom, Assistant Sports Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin and Deputy State Secretary Datu Ose Murang.
Receiving the key to the centre from Mawan was Sarawak Sports Corporation ( SSC) CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee.
The ceremony closed the chapter on bui lding works, complete with stamps of approval from International Swimming Federation ( FINA) and Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia ( ASUM), which inspected the facilities at least twice.
A representative from ASUM performed a final inspection earlier in the week and found that it satisfied their requirements.
“The Sarawak Aquatic Centre is impressive, defi nitely one of the best in the country.
“I hope it will continue being fully utilised after Sukma,” said May Chen, ASUM SecretaryGeneral.
The completion of the centre came a good four months ahead of the 18th Malaysia Games ( Sukma) to be held in Kuching, giving swimmers ample time to train there before the big day.
With the Bukit Jalil National Sports Complex still undergoing renovation work in preparation for the 2017 SEA Games, national divers and swimmers now have another place to train.
Sure enough, 10 national divers were among the fi rst to utilise the facilities, including four who have already qualified to compete in this year’s Rio Olympic Games in August.
Sarawak’s very own Pandelela Rinong, the first Malaysian to qualify for the coming Olympics on merit, was among the divers who stopped by in Kuching specially to test out the waters.
“We just returned from Rio and will be here for two days before going back to Kuala Lumpur,” she told reporters.
“So far, so good. We’ve already started training for the Olympics. I aim to improve on my past performance.
“I did not set gold as a target because I cannot predict the future.
“I can only do my best,” she added when asked about her preparation and chances in Rio de Janeiro.
The Sarawak Aquatic Centre is impressive, definitely one of the best in the country.
May Chen, ASUM Secretary-General