KUCHING (Nov 1): The Ministry of Youth and Sports is looking into the possibility of building a proper racing track in the state so that Sarawak can host major events in motor sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah cautioned, however, that it is a matter that requires careful consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRacing tracks can be very very costly but of course this is something that we are willing to listen and look into when there is proper management for motorised events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe just cannot build a track and leave it there under-utilised and there must be proper motorsports events organised,\u201d he told reporters in a press conference after launching the Sarawak Motorsports Association (SMA) at a local restaurant yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Karim, motorised events can be nice to watch but they can also be dangerous not only to the participants but also members of the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe time is quite right (for a racing track) but we need a proper club\/association to be able to fully utilise facilities like this and manage it properly and organising competitive motorsports events,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the temporary go-kart racing track at the car park adjacent to the Sarawak Stadium, Karim, who is also Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said it was not a proper track for go-kart racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are looking into having a much more proper site for a go-kart track. There have been a few proposals being submitted and we are looking into it and, hopefully if things materialise, we will be able to have a proper go-kart track in Kuching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He further observed that the go-kart racing track can also be used for other purposes such as motorcycling and motor car racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are looking into building sports facilities which can accommodate more than one sport such as the Rugby and Cricket Field at the Petra Jaya Sports Complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt would be pointless to build a field\/pitch and that is is hardly being used,\u201d he pointed out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier, Karim expressed happiness that SMA was finally registered as a sports body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With SMA in place, he noted, motorsports events can be organised and sanctioned by the state governing body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is important that motorsports events be sanctioned by a sanctioning body so that problems and matters can be resolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor Sarawak, I do hope that with the registration of SMA, it would put to rest a lot of problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut whether we can move forward in motorsports will depend on how SMA and the committee are going to manage it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister also advised SMA to stick to its objectives and not become a profit-making body so that motorsports in the state can be sustained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also urged SMA to try get other clubs and associations to be affiliated to the state governing body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Karim also pledged a grant of RM10,000 for SMA to run its activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also present were SMA president Ahmad Ibrahim, SMA deputy president Freddy Lawan, Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee and Youth and Sports Department Sarawak director Lamat Nyalau.<\/p>\n\n\n\n