ASAJAYA: Sarawak is set to begin construction of a velodrome next year once the necessary preliminary arrangements are completed.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had previously announced that a site for the facility had been identified, including during the recent flag handover ceremony.
“A velodrome is not like an ordinary stadium for running. It is a very specialised facility with very specific details. Even the angle cannot be too steep as it has to comply with certain standards.
“It will be built, God willing, within the sports complex area.
“I think it is possible that if we can complete the preliminary arrangements, we can build it next year,” he told reporters during the Sambutan Maulidur Rasul 1448H/2026M programme at Kampung Tambirat Multipurpose Hall, here today (Aug 25).
The planned facility also gains added significance following Sarawak’s strong showing in cycling at this year’s SUKMA Games, where the state secured three gold medals despite not having a velodrome of its own.
Abdul Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman, said Sarawak had never won a cycling gold medal throughout the history of SUKMA despite going more than 30 or 40 years without achieving the feat.
“But this time, we won three gold medals, and the events we won were extremely difficult for an athlete to achieve unless they were truly outstanding,” he said.
He said two of the gold medals came from events held at the velodrome while the other was won in the individual time trial on the road.
He added that the three events were traditionally dominated by states such as Terengganu.
“But when we managed to break through in these events and win the gold medals, I felt extremely proud of the ability of our athletes.
“This shows that with strong determination, even without a velodrome facility in Sarawak, we can still achieve the highest level of success,” he added.
Meanwhile, he said he was grateful and satisfied with Sarawak’s overall performance at this year’s SUKMA Games, where the contingent finished fourth with 41 gold medals.
He also congratulated Selangor for emerging as champions and commended the host state for its overall organisation of the Games.
“Congratulations to Selangor for becoming champions. This was a very good performance by Selangor and overall, the organisation of the SUKMA Games by Selangor was very good,” he said.
