KUCHING: Sarawak is on the radar for potential cooperation with Spanish football giants FC Barcelona.
Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the intention of the football club was expressed during his working visit to their facilities last year.
“During our visit to Barcelona, we met with Barcelona FC’s top management, and the meeting truly surprised me as they expressed their intention to establish cooperation with Sarawak.
“In fact, I had already been informed earlier that they were interested in collaborating and were planning to have a form of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which may be signed around March this year,” he said.
He made these remarks at the MYSED Kesinambungan Budi Appreciation Ceremony held at a hotel here on Friday (Jan 23).
Elaborating further, Abdul Karim, who is also the Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, revealed that the cooperation would not be limited to the development of football in the state, but would also encompass other sports.
He said the collaboration reflects how global-level leaders view Sarawak as having strong potential for meaningful cooperation, while simultaneously developing the state’s sports sector.
“This is what sometimes gives us a sense of pride, because if we were not able to position ourselves globally as we have today, we certainly would not be given opportunities like this.
“Therefore, whether in sports, youth development or other ministries, I believe that we must place ourselves at a certain level to ensure that we truly live up to the expectations, perceptions and views held by global leaders towards us,” he added.
