The development of sports infrastructure is important in ensuring the country continues to progress and remain competitive in the regional and international sports arena, said Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad in response to a question by Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Mohammad bin Abdullah @ Lim Swee Ann at the 21st Legislative Council session yesterday.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) strategy focuses on strengthening an inclusive, accessible, modern and competitive sports ecosystem, aligned with international best practices and having a positive social impact. The main steps in this strategy involve improving training and competition facilities to support athletes’ progression to higher levels, said the minister.
He added that the improvement and upgrading approach would be implemented in phases, according to the priorities of long-term investment returns, liability, safety as well as planned and prudent allocations.
To ensure sustainable and comprehensive sports development, MCYS welcomes a whole-of-nation approach, involving various parties, including the private sector and government-linked companies as strategic partners, through corporate social responsibility initiatives, as well as exploring public-private partnership initiatives to upgrade and develop sports infrastructure that meets international standards.
MCYS is addressing this through a three-term approach. Firstly, in the short term, the ministry is focusing on maintenance, improvement and optimal use of existing sports facilities.
Priority is given to ensuring these facilities can be fully utilised by athletes and the community, and meet basic standards for organising regional and international sports championships.
Among the sports facilities upgraded in phases, in line with international standards through the allocation of National Development Plan (RKN) 11 and the ministry’s annual allocation, are the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, the Tutong Sports Complex Multipurpose Hall, the Temburong Batu Apoi Sports Track Complex and the Indoor Stadium and Multi-purpose Hall of Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, which recently hosted the 9th World Junior Wushu Championships 2024, involving 50 countries and over 900 participants.
In addition, the ministry is actively preparing the infrastructure for the ASEAN School Games, expected to take place in November this year, the minister added.
Secondly, in the medium term, the ministry is also reviewing the need to upgrade or construct new sports infrastructure in phases in certain areas, subject to needs, demands and the country’s physical resilience.
The government has spent BND15 million in the past five years on the maintenance of sports infrastructure. MCYS remains committed to strengthening the country’s sports infrastructure to support athlete development and increase the country’s ability to organise international-class sporting events. It also ensures that grassroots sports development and recreational sports programmes will continue to be strengthened, including through the Young Athlete Development Programme.
Meanwhile, in response to LegCo member Yang Berhormat Chong Chin Yee’s questions on plans to organise annual international sports tourism events on the Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien (SHOAS) Bridge, the minister responded that the ministry always supports and welcomes initiatives that promote the country as an exclusive, unique, and resilient sports tourism destination, and featuring the SHOAS Bridge as a location for international sports, such as marathons and cycling events, is a welcome suggestion.
In addition to stimulating the economic and tourism industry, such sporting events promote a healthy lifestyle and have a positive impact on the country’s economy, as well as strengthening community solidarity.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi shared that a committee has been established to conduct a detailed study and further assessment of the suitability, including the adherence to international standards, such as technical, logistical, and safety aspects, for the implementation and operation of an event of this magnitude, and an official announcement will be made when all criteria are met. – Lyna Mohamad
