KUCHING: Uncertain weather conditions are posing a challenge to contractors in getting sports facilities ready ahead of the upcoming 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2024 to be held in Sarawak from Aug 17 to 25.
State Deputy Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu said the rainy and hot weather were his concern, especially involving facilities in open areas.
"Today, we visited several venues such as those for lawn bowls, hockey, ping pong and basketball, and we found that there are some that need extra work (to be completed)," he told reporters after inspecting the facilities involved in Sukma here today.
"I am concerned about the construction in the open areas due to the weather factors that are not in our favour. Earlier today, it rained at the archery venue, so the contractor was unable to carry out work today.
However, Gerald, who is also Chef De Mission of the Sarawak contingent, is confident that all the sports facilities and amenities will be ready in time.
"So far, I am satisfied with our preparations. If the venues are completed, we would want our athletes to come and train at these venues (to familiarise themselves with the venues)," he said.
On May 14, Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said a total of 24 sports facilities had been identified to be upgraded and three new facilities were under construction ahead of Sukma 2024.
All construction and upgrading works, amounting to about RM200 million, were expected to be completed in July.
Sukma 2024 involves the nine divisions of Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sibu, Mukah, Bintulu and Miri.
This year's games will see 37 sports, with 488 events, being contested, and will involve the participation of 236 men and 217 women. There will be 35 mixed men and women's events. The games will bring together 12,619 athletes and officials.
Sukma, which began in1986, has been organised in Sarawak twice, in 1990 and 2016. --BERNAMA