Abd Karim: Lack of velodrome hampers track cycling development in Sarawak

KUCHING (Dec 15): The lack of a velodrome has limited the development of track cycling in Sarawak, said Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He said proper infrastructure is essential to build high-performance athletes, stressing that Sarawak does not want to be known only as a capable organiser of sporting events.

“We do not want to just be a good organiser. We want to be champion,” he said in a news report by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) when speaking at the Sarawak Cycling Association Appreciation Night 2025 at the Sarawak Club on Sunday night.

Because of that, he said the state government has agreed in principle to the construction of a velodrome, which will form part of Sarawak’s broader efforts to strengthen its sports ecosystem alongside BMX and mountain biking facilities.

He also said the land accreditation process involving more than 60 acres near the Sarawak Sports Complex has largely been completed and described the site as suitable for the development of a major sports hub.

“When we have our own velodrome, it will be able to increase the spirit and interest towards competitive cycling,” he said.

Apart from that, he highlighted the importance of cycling clubs as the foundation of the sport’s development in Sarawak, noting that cycling has historically grown through club-based structures since the 1960s and continues to do so today.

He also called for stronger focus on youth development, particularly among cyclists aged 15 to 17, to ensure Sarawak builds a sustainable pipeline of competitive athletes capable of delivering results in the future.

Abdul Karim also congratulated the Sarawak Cycling Association on being recognised as the best cycling association in Malaysia, saying the achievement reflects the progress made in developing the sport at state level.