Kota Kinabalu: Kunak district is poised to have its very first sports complex built in the near future, thanks to a collaborative effort with SD Guthrie Berhad.
The company has verbally committed to grant 40 acres of land to the district council following a meeting chaired by Assistant Minister of Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy (Myspace) Datuk Seri Anil Sandhu on Tuesday.
Anil, who is also the district’s State Assemblyman, was pleased with the positive outcome from the meeting with SD Guthrie’s regional general manager Johamdan Joni and its chief land management officer Khairil Anuar Sadat Salleh.
“We had a successful and productive meeting with Tuan Johamdan and Tuan Khairil attended by several heads of departments concerned on Tuesday.
“I am very satisfied that the land we requested has finally been approved verbally and now we have to follow up with the preparation of working papers to be submitted to the relevant authorities,” he said on Wednesday.
He added it is a long time coming as the community in the district has been deprived of proper sporting facilities for decades.
“This development reflects a significant step toward providing adequate sporting facilities for the residents here.
“For years, Kunak has been sandwiched between Tawau, Lahad Datu and Semporna without a dedicated sports facility, with the only available field also in poor condition.
“A sports complex here is therefore long overdue, and the location of the proposed new complex will be built on 20 acres of the allocated land, right across from the Kunak district administration office.
“God willing, let’s all pray together that from now on, the plans will proceed smoothly for the sake of our district,” he said.
He also expressed his gratitude towards SD Guthrie and all those involved for their cooperation and support.
