KINABATANGAN: The district needs a proper sports complex and upgraded village sports facilities to provide greater opportunities for youths and local sporting talents, said Kinabatangan MP Datuk Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar (pic).
He said existing facilities were insufficient, with some ageing and requiring repairs, when contacted by Daily Express after debating the Sports Development (Amendment) Bill 2026 in Parliament on Tuesday.
Kurniawan said sports development should not be concentrated in major towns but extended to rural and interior areas through a comprehensive national sports policy.
He said greater access to skills development, training and competitions was also important as the cost of training and participation could force talented athletes to drop out.
During the debate, Kurniawan proposed a Rural Sports Cluster Model involving shared coaches, facilities and equipment, alongside greater long-term corporate support for rural sports development.
