Saturday, 26 July 2025

Sport tourism boosts local economy and sports standard

Facebook
X
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email

LET’S READ SUARA SARAWAK/ NEW SARAWAK TRIBUNE E-PAPER FOR FREE AS ​​EARLY AS 2 AM EVERY DAY. CLICK LINK

KUCHING:  Sport tourism brings economic impact to the local community, and also improves the quality and standard of sports both locally and globally, says Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu.

The Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Deputy Minister said that the influx of international sporting events are helping to drive local businesses, with food delivery services, hotels and restaurants seeing increased demand.

“So sports have also become a form of sports tourism. 

“This brings economic impact to the local community, which creates opportunities for them to earn more.

“So this is not just boosting Kuching’s economy, but I believe that with international-level tournaments being held here, we are improving the quality and standard of sports, not just for Sarawak, but also on a global level,” he said. 

He said this during a press conference after launching the Asia-Oceania Final Qualifying Tournament for the International Tennis Federation (ITF)  World Junior Tennis U14 Boys’ Final at Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) centre here today.

Earlier, Rentap said that the event launched today was part of a series of tournaments organised by the tennis association and sanctioned by both the Asian Tennis Federation and the International Tennis Federation.

It marks the fourth international competition hosted in Kuching this year.

“This aligns with our government’s effort to establish Kuching as a hub for international and regional tournaments, something Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED), Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, mentioned recently.

“We’re actively encouraging sports associations to organise more tournaments, be it at the national, regional (Southeast Asian) or international level, just like this one,” he said. 

He also pointed out that these events are part of the ministry’s exposure programme, aimed at strengthening both athletes’ capabilities and the roles of event organisers.

“So in that respect, this tournament also provides exposure for our technical officials to run events. 

“Without technical teams, we wouldn’t be able to hold tournaments of this level. 

“So this is also part of our preparation towards the SEA Games.

“This year’s competitions, and more to come next year, include more international tournaments, and of even higher quality. 

“It gives our technical officials a chance to experience how to run and referee international-standard tournaments, and this will build our confidence in organising any type of event in the future,” he said. 

Looking beyond tennis, Rentap also said that bowling is another sport with growing potential in Kuching.

“Another sport that’s doing well and has more tournaments coming up is bowling. Bowling is one of the sports we want to develop further. 

“In fact, we’ve seen teams from other countries training in Kuching.

“I’m not sure if they’re specifically preparing for the SEA Games, but they’re training here.

“Teams from Singapore and Indonesia, as well as from Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia, are coming to Kuching to train.

“It’s a great opportunity, and Kuching has been praised as an excellent venue. 

“That was affirmed by the Tennis Malaysia president, Saudara Mirzan Mahathir, when he visited recently,” he added. 

Related News

Most Viewed Last 2 Days