KUCHING: Sarawak's success as host of the forthcoming Sukma in August will be the yardstick to gauge its capability in having the 2027 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), which Malaysia will host, be sited in Sarawak.
"If we can host this forthcoming, largest ever Sukma successfully, then I see no reason why we should not make a bid for the SEA Games (to be sited in Sarawak)," state Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah said today.
"This Sukma will be the yardstick to gauge our capability."
Karim said there should not be a problem for the Federal Government to consider Sarawak's ambition "if we are good".
He added the state had been "communicating along that line" with the Federal Government.
"This coming Sukma is therefore very important to Sarawak," he said to reporters at the "Road to Runaway Champion SUKMA XXI 2024" event at the Borneo Cultures Museum auditorium here.
Karim said if the SEA Games were held in Sarawak, then most of the state's stadiums and sports facilities earmarked for it would have to be upgraded to meet international standards.
The cost of the upgrades would be several hundred million ringgit, he added.
He said the upgrading work for all venues that would be used for this edition of Sukma, which is slated for Aug 17 to 24, cost the state about RM100 million.
Sarawak Stadium, the main venue of the coming Sukma, where the opening and closing ceremonies and the track and field events will be held, has had its running track relaid.
Stadiums in Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sibu, Bintulu, Mukah, Miri are also being upgraded.
New venues are also being built for the wushu, rugby and cricket events.
The velodrome will not be available for this Sukma.
Karim said it would be built only after the biennial games, as the time between now and the event was too short since the plan for it was approved only recently by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
"Construction will begin after (this edition of the) Sukma (Games)," he said, adding that the cost of the valedrome would be over RM100 million.