Prof Ir Ts Dr Al-Khalid Othman. – Photo by Roystein Emmor
KOTA SAMARAHAN (Aug 15): Hosting nearly 6,000 athletes and officials at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), the Malaysia Games (Sukma) XXI Sarawak 2024 Sports Village here has every detail considered to ensure the success of the Games.
Housed across six different colleges in Unimas’ campus, the Sports Village is set up to ensure that the participants have everything they need to focus entirely on their performance without any distractions, said Unimas Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs) Prof Ir Ts Dr Al-Khalid Othman.
The colleges, namely Alamanda housing the Melaka, Pulau Pinang and Terengganu contingents; Bunga Raya (Kelantan, Selangor, Perlis and Sabah); Cempaka (Johor, Pahang and Perak); Dahlia (Sarawak and Wilayah Persekutuan); Sakura (Kedah and Brunei; and Tun Ahmad Zaidi (Negeri Sembilan), he said, varies in capacity ranging from less than 1,000 to about 1,800 individuals and equipped with comprehensive amenities earning high praise for its well-organised and extensive facilities.
“One of the key features we offer is not only accommodation but also various facilities for training and other necessities like vending machines for food and drinks.
“The café is open until 10pm, and if there’s a request to extend the hours, we will accommodate.
“Our meals are prepared by the catering committee from the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-Ficord),” he told reporters when met after the launching of the Sports Village at the Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra (DeTAR), Unimas in Kota Samarahan today.
Athletes are provided with three meals a day – breakfast, lunch, and dinner – all adhering to the dietary standards set for athletes, he added.
“The food is prepared according to strict guidelines to ensure it meets the dietary needs of the athletes,” he said.
Regarding the quality of the bedding, Al-Khalid assured that all mattresses, pillows, and bed linens provided are brand new.
“These are specially provided by the Sarawak government. The bedding comes in two colors, dark blue and light blue.
“After the Games, the bedding will likely be given to new students,” he said.
When asked regarding security, Al-Khalid said security is a top priority and the university has support from auxiliary police and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
“While there isn’t a strict curfew, athletes are required to have passes for entry and exit.
We don’t impose student-like restrictions, but they must inform us of their movements,” he added.
Asked whether they have received any complaint so far, Al-Khalid said so far there have been minor complaints but they were quickly resolved.
“There haven’t been any major issues,” he said.
Other facilities provided at the Sukma XXI Sarawak 2024 Sports Village at Unimas include a surau, meeting rooms, a command centre, Wi-Fi internet, self-service laundry, several cafeterias, and a minimart.
The Sukma XXI Sarawak 2024 Sports Village at Unimas is one of five main sports villages spread across Sarawak for the Games.
The others include Desa Sanyan in Sibu, UiTM Mukah Campus, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Bintulu, and the National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) in Miri.
In addition to the five main sports villages, Sukma XXI Sarawak 2024 has established numerous other accommodations across nine divisions, where various events are being held until Aug 24, bringing the total to 33.
