SIBU: The Sarawak government will continue investing heavily in sports development by expanding facilities, nurturing athletes and hosting major international events to produce more world-class sporting talent.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state remained committed to strengthening its sports ecosystem, with sustained financial support channelled through the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development.
“We give substantial budget to the ministries because we want to improve our facilities and show that we are serious about developing sports,” he said during a question-and-answer session in conjunction with the Sarawak Day Townhall held here today.
Abang Johari was responding to a question on the government’s plans to build on Kuching City FC’s recent success in qualifying for Asian competition and produce more athletes capable of competing on the international stage.
He said Kuching City FC’s achievement reflected Sarawak’s growing potential to emerge as a new sporting force in the country.
Drawing inspiration from Cape Verde’s performance on the world stage despite having a population of only about 500,000, Abang Johari said Sarawak, with a population of around 2.8 million, was equally capable of achieving international sporting success.
“If Cape Verde can do it, I think Sarawak also can do it,” he said.
Abang Johari also commended the Football Association of Sarawak for its close collaboration with Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and its officials in elevating the standard of football in the state.
He said that Sarawak’s football team had progressed significantly, having challenged defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) and advanced much further than in previous seasons.
“There was a time when we could not even get past the quarter-finals. Today, we have reached the final stages. I hope next season you become champions of Malaysia,” he said.
