IPOH: The Amanjaya Aquatics Centre, one of the venues for the upcoming Malaysia Games (Sukma) that will be held in Ipoh has been completed a month ahead of schedule and has been handed over to the state government earlier today (Friday).
The handover ceremony took place and witnessed Public Works Department director Ahameed Tarmizi Ramli handing over the newly completed Games venue to State government secretary Datuk Seri Abdul Puhat Mat Nayan.
The covered swimming complex features an Olympic sized swimming pool with ten lanes that was built at a cost of RM45 million and took 19 months to build and complete.
Speaking to the media after the handover ceremony, Abdul Puhat said that the complex could accommodate 3,000 spectators and the entire facility was built according to the International Swimming Federation’s (Fina) specifications.
He also said that the complex boasts amenities such as two training pools as well as two recreational pools.
“This complex will be opened to the public from May onwards after testing and trials have been completed. With such a complex in the city of Ipoh and the state, we hope that it will help in unearthing and the discovery of more swimming champions in the future, such as Allen Ong for example.
“Perak has for a long time been lagging behind in aquatics and I sincerely hope that the Perak Amateur Swimming Association will take the necessary measures and steps in moving forward and returning the glory days of excellence in the sport for the state,” said Abdul Puhat.
With regards to preparation for the Malaysia Games that will take place from September 12 to 22, Abdul Puhat said that the construction of other facilities and venues are going according to schedule and it is just a matter of time before all are handed over to the state government.
“After this we will be looking forward to taking delivery of the Indera Mulia Stadium and the Manjung Football Stadium. Other venues and facilities should be completed according to plan by next month,” added Abdul Puhat.