‘Champions were born here’: Piasau rep calls for urgent upgrade of Miri stadium for athletes’ safety

Datuk Sebastian Ting (file pic)

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, May 25: Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew has called for the Miri Outdoor Stadium to be upgraded as soon as possible, citing the stadium’s deteriorated facilities.

In a TVS report, he said that although some improvement works had been carried out previously, the condition of the stadium’s facilities has deteriorated and is no longer suitable for athletes.

“This venue is very popular and may be the only location suitable for athletes to train properly. Many champions representing Miri, Sarawak, and even Malaysia at the national level were born here.

“However, the condition of some facilities is worrying, including the high jump area and running track, which have holes that could pose a danger to athletes,” he said during a visit to the Miri Outdoor Stadium today.

Ting, who is also the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, said that an allocation of RM600,000 under the Rural Transformation Project (RTP) had previously been approved to upgrade the stadium’s lighting system.

However, following an inspection conducted together with the Public Works Department (JKR), it was found that the allocation was insufficient to carry out all the upgrading works required.

He pointed out that the stadium is among the largest sports facilities in northern Sarawak, as athletes from Marudi, Sibuti, and Limbang also use it.

“Demand for the use of this stadium is increasing, so it is time for us to reassess the need for upgrades to meet current requirements,” he said.

At the same time, he also proposed that plans for a stadium upgrading project prepared before the Covid-19 pandemic be reviewed so that a new improvement proposal can be submitted to the relevant ministry and the Sarawak government. — DayakDaily