Hannah applauds upgrading efforts
Published on: Monday, March 11, 2024
By: Lagatah Toyos
Hannah (standing, fifth left) at Sandakan’s first skateboard park, yesterday.
SANDAKAN: The Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports supports efforts to transform abandoned sites into sports facilities for the local community.
“For example, the trend of closing swimming pools over the past few years has been quite active because of the high and expensive operating costs,” said its Minister, Hannah Yeoh.
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She said the closing of swimming pools has provided the community an opportunity to participate in other sports.
She said this after officiating the first Skateboard Park in Sandakan, which was created on the site of an abandoned swimming pool at Mile 2, here on Sunday.
She applauded the upgrading efforts inspired by Sandakan Member of Parliament Vivian Wong, noting that they were done in response to skateboarders’ requests.
“The initiative to convert the abandoned swimming pool into a skateboard park is commendable, and it is not being done blindly.
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“There have been requests from youths for such a facility, and we are confident that if such requests are made, the activities will continue. At the same time, this upgrading procedure has taken into account the views of local youths,” Hannah said.
She also commended the Sandakan Municipal Council for assisting in the reconstruction effort, ensuring that youths have a safe environment to conduct activities.
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In addition, she said the National Youth and Sports Department will assist with youth-oriented programmes at the Skateboard Park.
“Skateboarding is a sport that has been gazetted and outdoor activities such as this can help young people use the space to express their talents in a safe place,” she said.
Nonetheless, Hannah advocated for the Safe Sports Code to be implemented to maintain a safe sports environment, as well as highlighting the role and duty of all parties in dealing with any type of harassment and abuse in sports.
Meanwhile, Vivian said that they took the initiative to refurbish the public swimming pool, which had been abandoned for almost 15 years, and transform it into a skateboard park.
She said the Skateboard Park, which has been open since March 1, is also a recreational spot for safe camping activities because it is provided with fences and 24-hour security.
She hopes skateboarders and visitors will use the park’s facilities responsibly.
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