Sarawak to enhance sports facilities for future major events

KUCHING: Sarawak’s sports equipment and facilities will be enhanced to a higher standard to accommodate larger sporting events in the future.

In stating this, Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED), Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu said several sports facilities will be upgraded to meet international standards.

“The ongoing upgrade work is not only focused on the upcoming 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) Sarawak 2024 but also as preparation for hosting the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in 2027.

“We need to look beyond Sukma because in 2027 we will have the SEA Games, so I want our facilities in Sarawak to be up-to-date.

“Every year, we must host international-level sporting events to provide exposure and preparation for organising large-scale events.”

He said this when met by reporters during a visit to the Sarawak Squash Centre here on Thursday (July 4).

He also said that international-standard sports facilities and equipment will provide Sarawak athletes the opportunity to experience the same level of facilities used by athletes at higher levels.

Regarding the plan to upgrade the current squash courts to glass courts, Rentap, who is also the Chef De Mission of the Sarawak contingent, did not rule out the possibility of it being realised in the future.

“If our athletes show good performance, I will bring this request to the higher authorities.”