IPOH: The Perak government aspires to turn Ipoh into a Sport City to ensure the sports facilities or infrastructure constructed in conjunction with the 19th Malaysia Games (Sukma) Games are not left idle.
Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu said Sport City would be the hub for various sporting events such as ordinary sports, extreme and online games (e-games).
“This sport city will be a sporting event centre not only at state level but also nationally and internationally,” he told a press conference at the Media Centre at the Sports and Youth Complex here today.
He also said that the sport city would also be a venue for conferences for various sporting events thus making Ipoh a major sport tourism destination in the country.
“We have also expressed this wish to the Youth and Sports Minister. We also plan to provide facilities such as accommodations.
“And all these have has been planned and will be implemented through a corporation to manage the governance of all sports facilities,” he said.
He said the proposed establishment of the corporation would be be presented at the first sitting of the State Assembly next year for approval.
Meanwhile, State Youth and Sports Development Committee chairman Howard Lee Chuan How said Ipoh is a suitable location for the sport city as other than in the city itself, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) could also be used as a high-profile sports centre.
“UPSI can be a focus for sports academics and sports studies. So, they can gather there. The public or athletes can come here (Ipoh). We will make sure the accommodations will be improved for the athletes to enjoy the facilities, “he said.
Earlier, Ahmad Faizal also presented prizes to second and third place winners of the 2018 Perak Sukma Media Awards. The first prizes of the three categories would be presented by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at the closing ceremony. — BERNAMA