Sarawak target to become cricket sports-tourism destination

by Lester Mekan Baha, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on July 30, 2012, Monday

ELITE TROPHY FINALIST: Sarawak played Negeri Sembilan in the final of the Malaysia Cricket Association Challenge Trophy 2012 at Kinrara Cricket Oval, Puchong recently. Negeri Sembilan beat Sarawak to book a place in Elite Trophy 2013.

KUCHING: In an effort to promote cricket sports-tourism, the Sarawak Cricket Association (SCA) has targeted for the state to become a new destination for touring cricket teams to this region.

?Nowadays, the game of cricket is not only a way of life for sports lovers in many countries but also a reason for people to travel across the globe especially where the game of cricket are played.

?There are die-hard cricket lovers who traveled along with cricket teams and their families. They also combined cricket matches along with the pleasure of tourism making the experience thoroughly enjoyable,? informed secretary of SCA Gordon Chung Pei Nan to The Borneo Post yesterday.

Chung added that in order to achieve the target, Sarawak would need to actively participate in cricket competitions around this region to foster closer relationship with cricket teams from other countries, and at the same time to promote Sarawak as a sports tourism destination.

?In order to achieve the objectives, Sarawak has to thoroughly prepare a formidable cricket team and must also possess the necessary infrastructure and facilities that meet international standards,? stressed Chung. According to Chung, the state team is currently formularising a comprehensive training programme in preparation for next year?s Challenge Trophy and has targeted to gain promotion to Elite Trophy category by 2014.

Too meet the target, Chung revealed that SCA is preparing a shadow squad by conducting mix training with the state senior team and under-18 players.

The association has also started the Junior Development Programme by establishing a Cricket Centre of Excellence in collaboration with schools to scout for potential under-15 players.

?At the moment we are upgrading and improving the training facility at TUDM cricket ground and the present junior cricket ground at SK Tabuan.

And the proposal for the Sarawak Cricket stadium has been submitted to the ministry of sports for approval and application for funding will be included into the 3rd Rolling Budget,? informed Chung.

Chung hoped that with the availability of an international standard cricket venue, Sarawak would be able to bid to host international cricket event and would help to boost the growth of cricket sports-tourism.

Source: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/07/30/sarawak-target-to-become-cricket-sports-tourism-destination/

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