WORK TO UPGRADE SEPAK TAKRAW ACADEMY TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN THREE MONTHS - HANNAH

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Work to upgrade the Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz Sports Complex in Kampung Baru, turning it into the Malaysian Sepak Takraw Academy, is expected to be completed within three months, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.

She added that the RM6 million upgrading project is set to turn the venue into the most complete sepak takraw training centre in Asia, in line with Malaysia's continuous efforts as a traditional sports leader in the region.

"We are not interested in building a new facility because it's better to just upgrade the existing building and avoid wastage. This model is more efficient and cost-saving,” she said after a working visit to survey the academy upgrading project here today.

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Hannah added that the academy is set to house various facilities, including athlete accommodation, a gymnasium, learning rooms and training courts, all under one roof.

"This is the first exclusive sepak takraw academy in Asia, and probably the world. It is a symbol of Malaysia as a heritage sports leader in this region,” she said.

She added that the ministry channels a large amount of allocation for the development of sepak takraw through various schemes, including the Sports Matching Grant and Community Sports Fund, each totalling RM9 million in 2023, RM8 million in 2024 and RM6 million this year.

"Of the RM6 million for this project, RM5.5 million is allocated for infrastructure upgrading works, while RM500,000 is for the provision of facilities and equipment.

"We welcome sponsorships from all parties for the naming rights of this academy because there is a huge viewership potential for sepaktakraw, especially as Malaysia competes at the global level,” she said.

-- BERNAMA