KUCHING, Feb 19: Sarawak is expected to have its very own velodrome after the conclusion of the 21st Malaysian Games (SUKMA) 2024, with an estimated allocation of more than RM100 million to build it.
Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the proposal for the construction of the velodrome had arisen due to the need to uplift track cyclists in Sarawak.
“This is why our Sarawak Premier has endorsed the plan to build a velodrome for track cycling events which is expected completion in the next two to three years.
“Although it may not be in time for SUKMA, it is hoped that facilities as such will encourage track cyclists in this sports sector,” he said when met by reporters after officiating the “Road to Runaway Champion Sukma XXI Sarawak 2024” ceremony for SUKMA participants at the Borneo Cultures Museum Auditorium here on Monday.
Meanwhile, Karim expressed his wish for Sarawak to be given the chance to host the next South East Asian (SEA) Games after Thailand.
“We should be given the opportunity to host the next SEA Games after Thailand, hopefully after we focus on SUKMA 2024,” Karim added.
With only six months to go, Sarawak will host the much-awaited 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA), the largest ever organised, with Karim envisioning Sarawak to be a ‘runaway’ winner.
The 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) will take place from August 17 to 24 of this year, with over 10,000 athletes competing in 37 sports.
The games will take place in Sarawak’s nine Divisions, namely Kuching, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Serian, Betong, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu, and Miri. -TVS
