Shalina handing over the signed documents to Abdul Karim (fifth from right).
THE newly completed Azman Hashim Community Sports Centre in Sibu Jaya will be one of the venues for the Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2024 that Sarawak is hosting.
Sukma 2024, slated for August next year, will involve eight divisions but many of the events will take place in Kuching due to its comprehensive facilities.
“For Sibu, we have identified badminton, preliminary football matches, sepak takraw and judo.
“Football matches will be held in Sibu, Bintulu and Mukah.
“We will determine the venue for the semi-finals and finals later,” said Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at a ceremony to hand over the sports centre.
He said all these proposed venues would be presented to the National Sukma Committee.
“They will assess whether the facilities meet the requirements for hosting, but we have made detailed selections. I believe what we have proposed will be accepted by the committee.”
The RM13.9mil sports centre is a personal gift from Tan Sri Azman Hashim, who is also executive chairman of Amcorp Group of Companies.
On the preparations for Sukma, Abdul Karim said it was progressing well.
“We are mainly focusing on athletes’ preparation at this time and many of our athletes are currently undergoing intensive training overseas until next year.
“At the end of this year, we will also hold the Sarawak Games (Suksa) as the final preparation to ensure that the athletes representing the state are the right ones,” said the Asajaya assemblyman.
He said the state was also looking at the infrastructure facilities in the eight divisions that have been identified as potential venues for Sukma 2024.
“We have requested feedback from schools, local councils responsible for these locations, as well as the Sarawak Sports Corporation to determine what needs to be improved.
“We have already assessed the costs,” said Abdul Karim.
He said that if the renovation cost exceeded RM200mil, it would be brought up to the Cabinet.
“However, it is up to the Sarawak government to decide if the costs are feasible or not,” he said.
Also present were state Public Health, Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Michael Tiang and Amcorp Properties chairman Shalina Azman.
