Sarawak high performance sports centre plan to move forward after SEA Games

Abdul Karim (second left) presenting a certificate to Jee Chin Fu for his role as the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Innovative and Creative Group (KIK) Convention 2026 during the award ceremony at a hotel in Kuching on June 12, 2026.

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, June 12: Sarawak is looking to adopt elements of the Australian and New Zealand high-performance sports systems for its proposed High Performance Sports Centre, with implementation of the project expected to gain momentum after the SEA Games.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said preparations for the facility are already underway, including site identification within the Sarawak Sports Complex, but the State’s immediate focus remains on preparations for the upcoming SEA Games.

“We’re a little bit too busy with preparation for SEA Games now. I think after the SEA Games, we will get the high-performance centre project ready for implementation,” he told reporters after officiating the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Innovative and Creative Group (KIK) 2026 Awards Ceremony at a hotel here today.

For the record, a 68-acres of land in Petra Jaya, previously allocated for a Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) training facility have been returned to Sarawak, clearing the way for the proposed project within the Sarawak Sports Complex.

For the longer term, Abdul Karim said Sarawak sees the establishment of a high-performance centre as crucial to producing elite athletes capable of competing successfully at the highest levels.

“For any state or nation to further excel in sports, there must be a high-performance centre. We are looking into it and we have identified the site within the Sarawak Sports Complex where this centre will be established,” he said.

Abdul Karim revealed that Sarawak officials have conducted study visits to several countries, including Australia, New Zealand and South Korea, to examine best practices in elite athlete development.

He said Sarawak is particularly interested in adopting aspects of the Australian and New Zealand models, given their strong emphasis on sports science, athlete development and high-performance programmes that have consistently delivered success on the Olympic stage.

“We are looking at the Australian model as well as the New Zealand model because these are two nations that put a lot of emphasis on sports and high performance, and they have been able to achieve quite good results in the Olympics,” he said.

Abdul Karim explained that the centre would not necessarily be large in scale but would serve as a specialised hub for grooming elite athletes selected for advanced training programmes.

The facility is envisioned as a comprehensive athlete development centre where sports scientists and coaches can monitor nutrition, endurance, muscle development and mental conditioning.

“That is also the place where you will monitor the food, endurance, muscles and all that and also to fine-tune their mindset because for you to become a champion, you must have that right mindset,” he added.

While construction is expected to commence after the SEA Games, Abdul Karim said the project would not be excessively costly despite incorporating advanced technologies.

The project will be funded by the Sarawak government, although Abdul Karim said collaboration with the National Sports Institute in Bukit Jalil would be important, particularly in providing sports science expertise and technical support.

“This will be funded by the Sarawak government, but I believe the National Sports Institute or the national side in Bukit Jalil will also be expected to assist because you need sports scientists to look after those athletes,” he said. — DayakDaily