KUANTAN: The construction of the new Pahang Youth and Sports complex here is underway with the RM30 million state-of-the art facility on track for completion in August next year.
Youth and Sports deputy minister Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said the complex, located in the heart of Kuantan town, would be a one-stop centre for sports enthusiasts, equipped with disabled-friendly facilities.
"The complex will have a 400-seater grandstand which includes a running track and football field. A futsal court, badminton courts, a gymnasium and multipurpose courts for various other sports will be provided in the vicinity.
"In order to make it easier to organise sporting events, the complex will offer hostel rooms which can cater to about 80 people. The complex will be equipped with an indoor auditorium, seminar halls and meeting rooms," he said, adding there will also be an extreme park for skateboarders as well as wall climbing activities within the complex.
Ti said it was high-time for Kuantan which had achieved city status to have a top class sports complex to provide better sporting infrastructures for future development.
Works began last year after the existing Kuantan Youth and Sports Complex was torn down to make way for a bigger and modern complex.
Meanwhile, Ti said the ministry had approved RM500,000 to upgrade the Wisma Belia Hockey stadium in Indera Mahkota to equip the venue for both international and domestic competitions.
"Kuantan will be hosting the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) hockey competition in September so we need to immediately prepare both fields, repair the water sprinklers and refurbish the changing rooms," he said after visiting the hockey stadium yesterday.
Ti said the ministry had, to date, approved some RM60 million to upgrade existing sports facilities across Pahang and build the new Pahang Youth and Sports complex here.