Locals hope works on Kapit sports stadium to finish sooner
KAPIT: The local folk, especially those from sports clubs, are hoping that repair and upgrading works on the sports stadium at Jalan SukanJalan Airport here could reach completion ahead of schedule.
A notice by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports displayed on the stadium gate, states the closure period from March 8 till Dec 8 this year, meant to pave way for the contractor to upgrade and repair the running tracks and other amenities at the stadium.
Stadium staff members, when met, said the closure was necessary to enable the contractor work without any interruption.
“We hope the relevant authorities and the contractor could speed up the works so that the stadium could
We hope the relevant authorities and the contractor could speed up the works so that the stadium could reopen earlier. Kapit resident
reopen earlier,” said a member of the public, who preferred not to be named, when met yesterday.
He said it is understandable why the locals are complaining over the relatively-long closure period as the stadium – built in the 1980s – is the only facility of its kind in the whole district.
“People usually come here after office hours to exercise and also play games such as football. The Kapit Football Association also has its training sessions here for young players with potential; local athletes also train here,” he added.
Years of wear and tear have left the running track in a sad state, and the situation was made worse after the stadium was used to host the Jiwa Murni programme in April 2016.
For now, members of the public who intend to jog do so along Jalan Airport and Jalan Hill Top, despite the presence of heavy traffic and the fact that the narrow, winding roads are not pedestrianfriendly.
Some have also chosen to carry out their recreational activities at Phase II Bletih Industrial Estate, even though the area is a favourite hangout for local youths who speed around on their motorcycles and execute various bike-related stunts.