Gerawat urges KSH to support young athletes, explore sports tourism potential
Gerawat (centre) receives a souvenir from Romeo as Yii (third right), Dennis (third left) and others look on.
MIRI (June 3): The Highlanders Sports Club (KSH) has been urged to take a more proactive role in helping young athletes access higher education and professional sports training through partnerships with local and international institutions.
Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring), Datuk Gerawat Gala, said KSH could serve as a key bridge connecting talented youths with sports academies such as Akademi Bola Sepak Malaysia, Bukit Jalil Sports School, and overseas universities offering sports scholarships.
'Our outstanding young athletes can pursue their academic and sporting ambitions simultaneously through these institutions,' he said during the closing ceremony of the Highlanders Sports Carnival held at the Federation of Orang Ulu Associations Malaysia (Forum) building at Jalan Padang Kerbau here last night.
Gerawat, who is also Mulu assemblyman, encouraged KSH to broaden its outreach by actively participating in initiatives run by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.
He pointed out that excelling in sports can open doors to opportunities that are just as rewarding as those in other professions.
'Some of our national footballers are earning up to RM20,000 per month. I am optimistic that one of our rising young golfers, Abigail Pearson, will continue to excel in State and National tournaments and eventually earn a scholarship to study in the United States, following in the footsteps of others before her,' he said.
He further challenged KSH to explore the potential of sports tourism in the Kelabit Highlands through the organisation of events such as marathon runs, mountain biking, cross-country races and activities with groups like the Hash House Harriers.
'With the backing of Rurum Kelabit Sarawak as its umbrella body, KSH has the potential to innovate by identifying and promoting new sports tourism products. By networking with successful sports institutions, they can continue to inspire and attract youth participation,' he added.
Gerawat also expressed hope that the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak would consider incorporating such initiatives into the state's tourism calendar for the coming year.
Touching on the recently concluded Highlanders Games Carnival, held here from May 31 to June 2, he said 10 contingents from across the country participated in all 14 sports events.
He reiterated that the carnival aimed to promote and strengthen the community's engagement in sports, emphasising the need for unity within the Kelabit community, which constitutes less than one per cent of Malaysia's population.
'As a small community, it is vital that we remain cohesive and united. Only then can we make a meaningful impact and draw the attention of government and stakeholders to our needs and aspirations.
'I am heartened to see so many young people involved. It reminds me of the early years of KSH and Rurum Kelabit Sarawak in the 1980s, a time when some of you were not yet born. This strong youth presence gives our community hope and shows that the vision of our pioneers is being carried forward into the next generation,' he said.
Among those present were Telang Usan assemblyman who is also Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chairman Dato Dennis Ngau, Pujut assemblyman who is also Miri mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang, political secretary to the Premier Dominic Nyurang Ajang, KSH president Romeo Peter Raja and several community leaders. athletes gerawat gala Kelab Sukan Highlanders lead youth
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