KOTA KINABALU: Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin said Sabah plans to build a new training centre and restructure sports associations to develop gold medal athletes both at local and international competitions including in the Olympics.
"This is to ensure that athletes competing in national and international championships are strong, both physically and mentally, to achieve medal targets," he said in his winding-up speech during the State Budget 2025 debate.
Sabah's runner Eddy Bernard made the state proud by winning a bronze medal in the 100-metre event at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Ellron said the high-performance and para sports training centre will be constructed on a 49 hectare piece of land in the interior district of Keningau.
"Once approved by the State Government, this centre will be developed in phases, enabling Sabah to produce more outstanding athletes," he said.
Ellron also said Sabah would identify potential gold winning athletes including in the Olympics, by providing overseas training and collaborating with foreign universities to help local sports development officers and coaches improve their training skills.