KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu is gunning to be a tenpin bowling powerhouse, now that its brand-new 36-lane alley is nearing completion by next month.
Already renowned for its national prowess in hockey, cycling, sailing and equestrian, the state is now charting on an ambitious plan to groom its youths to bowl the region over.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said that the state sports council and education department would play a key role in encouraging youths to pursue the sport seriously and unearth talents.
“I am confident that there are many enthusiastic youths, both boys and girls, with hidden talents out there who can emerge as champions.
“The alley will also provide adults with an additional avenue to exercise and keep fit,” said Razif.
He said the new Coral Crown Bowl was part of a RM90 million facility at Paya Bunga Sentral, that also houses 11 cineplexes that can seat 900 patrons.
Adjacent to these, he said, was the Paya Bunga Square that houses a RM120 million five-star PB Hotel due to open in April.
“I reckon, the whole Paya Bunga mutli-complex, complete with the PMINT Tower and shopping malls, will be fully ready for commercial business by May.
“This iconic facility will spur the state’s socio-economy to greater lengths, more so with the ‘Visit Beautiful Terengganu 2017’ this year,” said Razif after an inspection-tour of the facilities.
He added that the state was expected to see its maximum economic and tourism potential by the year 2020 when more modernisation facilities in the city were ready.
Razif cited three new hotels were being planned under the Movenpick, Tiara and Perbadanan Harta Bumiputera brands, while the existing Primula Beach Hotel would undergo a massive refurbishment and the construction of a new tower block.