RM1.5 Million For State Football Devt Programme

BY NORNI MAHADI, Easterntimes

MIRI:Sarawak Government has allocated some RM1.5 million towards the successful implementation of State Level Five-Year Football Development Programme.

Assistant Minister for Sports, Datuk Lee Kim Shin said such allocation has proven the government seriousness to develop the State sport industry in line with the effort to make Sarawak the sports powerhouse.

“A total of 600 participants from 30 selected secondary school sport development centres are taking part in the programme. The participants are divided into Under 15 and 17 years old,” he said when officiating at State Level five-year Football Development Programme at Dynasty Hotel, here, last Saturday night.

Datuk Lee, who is also the Chief-De-Mission Sarawak Contingent SUKMA XIII 2010, pointed out that the development programme is timely as Sarawak’s performance in the sport is worsening.

Lee added that under the programme, three regional development centres are being set up - one each in Kuching, Mukah and Miri.

Big boost for state football devt - RM1.5 mln annually for five years programme

by Ting Tieng Hee, Theborneopost

KUCHING: The Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) got a big shot in the arm on Thursday when its application for funds to run a five-year football development programme was given the nod by the State Cabinet.MSNS director Francis Nyurang Ding said with the funds, the Council could proceed with implementation immediately.

“I have just been notified by the state government today that the application we submitted last year has been approved, and we will be given RM1.5 million annually for five years to run the programme,” he disclosed on Thursday.

Francis said the groundwork was, in fact, laid last year when the Council organised a course in June for 33 coaches in Miri.

Former Sarawak coach Alan Vest conducted the course with the assistance of state football development coordinator Lucas Kalang.

According to Francis, the programme was on hold for a while as the council was awaiting the government’s approval for the application.