CANBERRA, Australia: A delegation from the Sarawak government visited the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra today as part of efforts to establish a high performance centre (HPC) in Kuching.
The official delegation was led by Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
During the visit, the Sarawak delegation received a briefing, and took part in a comprehensive tour of the AIS to explore advanced approaches in sports science and the world-class facilities offered at the institute.
Renowned as Australia’s premier hub for elite athlete development, AIS is staffed by experts in diverse fields such as sports nutrition, performance analysis, psychology, biomechanics, physiology, rehabilitation, athlete career education, and applied performance research.
One of the key objectives of the visit was to adapt the latest sports science techniques into Sarawak’s training programmes, and to generate ideas for enhancing sports infrastructure based on the AIS model, including examining innovative designs that integrate functionality, aesthetics and sustainability.
The visit also aimed to gain insight into the user experience, including that of athletes, coaches and spectators, in terms of facility design and layout, while exploring the integration of smart technologies such as automated lighting, climate control, and audio-visual systems in sports facilities.
In addition, the visit sought to assess sustainable, durable and low-maintenance building materials and construction techniques, while reviewing spatial planning strategies that allow for flexible usage for various sports activities and events.
Other objectives included evaluating safety and accessibility features to ensure inclusive design, and identifying cost-effective design approaches along with long-term maintenance strategies.
The visit plays a vital role in gathering insights and inspiration for the development of the Sarawak HPC, which is expected to serve as a catalyst in transforming Sarawak into a national sporting powerhouse.
By emulating the success of AIS, Sarawak aspires to build a world-class facility that supports the development of internationally competitive athletes, and strengthens the state’s sporting ecosystem.
