Page 290 - The Guide To Sarawak

288 SPORTS & RECREATION - FOREWORD
We Sarawakians are a competitive people, and have long delighted in challenging one another in traditional activities such as longboat races, trials of strength, martial arts, kite- flying, top-spinning and many others. Our environment has also shaped us - the Northern Highlands have created great distance runners, and our fast flowing rivers produce powerful oarsmen. It is little wonder, then, that this competitive spirit has spilled over into modern sports and made Sarawak one of Malaysia’s sporting powerhouses. We have produced Malaysian, Asian, Commonwealth and World Champions - and even an Olympic medallist - in a wide variety of sports.
Yet nowadays, with over half of our population living in urban areas, it is impossible to rely on environment and tradition to create the sportsmen of the future. Therefore we have invested heavily in sporting facilities, coaching and youth development. And we have also worked hard to create or host major international events. We have played host to the FIFA U-20 World Cup, ITF Satellite Tennis Tournaments, the Borneo Challenge Yachting Competition, the Kobe-Osaka Karate World Cup and many other international sports events, including some that are more leisure-focused, such as successful Hash (3H) gatherings.
The State Government recognizes and prioritizes sport in its vision for youth development and leadership building. Sports and recreation have been made a top priority in Sarawak, with the recent setting up of the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC), whose 10-year plan aims to benefit everyone from elite athletes to active retirees.
Thanks to the SSC’s efforts, and those of the many passionate, enthusiastic Sarawakians who are always willing to volunteer their time, Sarawak is rapidly becoming an ideal destination for sports tourism and the perfect location for sports-related businesses and investors.
Y Bhg Dato Patrick C. J. Liew
President, Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association