BAU: Sarawak will streamline its sports development through a planned High-Performance Centre, prioritising disciplines in which the state has consistently excelled.
Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the upcoming High-Performance Centre expected to be developed at the Petra Jaya Sports Complex will play a central role in nurturing local talent, particularly from rural areas.
“We will sit down with the experts. That’s why we recently went to Australia visiting the New South Wales Sports Commission and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) to learn how they shape their sports development journey,” he said.
He said this in his address when officiating the opening ceremony of the Bau Sports Carnival at the Bau Sports Complex here today (May 17).
“We are in discussions with the experts, and from there, we want to identify which sports we should streamline and focus on at the High-Performance Centre,” he added.
Citing specific strengths, Abdul Karim noted that swimmers from Sibu and divers from Bau have consistently delivered results, while Kapit particularly the Iban community — are very good sprinters.
“Sibu will continue to be our swimming hub because they’ve been consistent contributors. Diving is strongly associated with Bau, and when it comes to sprinting, we will look at Kapit — the Iban people are naturally very good sprinters,” he added.
He said talent will be identified through sports complexes across Sarawak and brought to Kuching, where the state’s newly completed sports village will serve as a base for training and athlete development.
Abdul Karim said Sarawak has big plans for sports and the system will help athletes get the support and exposure they need to succeed.
Also present with Abdul Karim were Deputy Minister of Transport, Datuk Henry Harry Jinep and Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin.
