A vision for talent development

KUCHING: The Minister for Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, highlighted his ministry’s dedication to supporting small-scale events aimed at nurturing youth talent and boosting tourism.

Speaking at a recent press conference following the inauguration of the What About Kuching calendar at the Borneo Hotel on September 3, he stated, “We are committed to assisting community-based events, particularly those that cater to the youth.

“These events provide crucial platforms for young individuals to exhibit their skills. Without such opportunities, their talents might remain unnoticed, especially as they transition into adulthood and assume more responsibilities.”

Abdul Karim underscored the significance of creating avenues for young people to showcase their abilities, noting that it could pave the way for their future growth.

“This is their moment to shine. The experiences gained from these opportunities may lead them to unexpected paths,” he added.

He highlighted a series of upcoming events slated for Kuching, such as the Borneo Sonic Music Festival, International Dragon Boat competition, and International Pickleball tournament, illustrating the city’s vibrant calendar with 233 events scheduled over a month.

“The entire city of Kuching will be bustling, drawing visitors not only from Borneo but also from other regions, including Singapore,” he remarked.

In terms of tourism strategies, Abdul Karim mentioned ongoing collaborations with UNIMAS to enhance data collection and analytics about visitor demographics and spending trends.

“We are refining our statistics on tourism revenue and visitor data to gain a deeper insight into the impact of these events.

“Last year, we met our target of three million visitors by October, and this year, we are aiming for four million. Judging by the current figures, we are confident in achieving this objective,” he expressed.