Sarawak intends to host more international events including mega concerts, once sports facilities are refurbished for next year’s Malaysia Games (Sukma), said Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu.

The Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development said such events can boost the tourism sector, as well as provide a platform for locals to gain experience and skills in organising events.

“The participating (sports) teams and players, and those who come with them such as parents and physiotherapists, will be spending on lodging, food and transportation which indirectly contribute to the local economy.

“This is a big multiplier effect. With our target of ge ing over three million visitors this year, we hope that we can also boost our tourism sector as we have many a ractions to offer to them,” he said.

Rentap was speaking at a press conference a er the opening ceremony of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Junior Tennis Team Competition (Boys) Asia-Oceania Under-14 Final Qualifying at SLTA Centre yesterday.

He said once facilities such as the Sarawak Stadium are refurbished, the state can also host other events such as concerts by international artistes.

“We want to show that we can also hold mega concerts which involve some 40,000 spectators. So this can be an a raction but we need support from everybody – then we can have our big show in Sarawak.

“Not only do we want to improve our sports facilities, but also tourism,” he explained.

On the ITF tournament here, Rentap commended the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) for hosting players and officials from 16 countries.

“I feel proud because the coaches and players told me they are happy to come to Sarawak. This shows that this event is a product for our sports tourism,” he said.

Meanwhile, SLTA president Dato Patrick Liew revealed that SLTA received a grant of more than RM200,000 from ITF (for the current tournament) although the state government also provided assistance to ensure smooth running of the event.

“SLTA is looking at the bigger picture when organising such tournaments. We hope this will inspire locals to have their children interested in tennis.

“If these participating players aged under 14 can do so well and represent their countries, why can’t our children do it as well? Even if they do not turn professional later, their involvement in tennis helps to shape their discipline, character and personality which are useful in their adult life,” he added.

Teams from 16 countries are vying for the four automatic slots to play in the grand finals to be held in the Czech Republic in August.

The countries are Australia, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Jordan, Iran, Pakistan, New Zealand, Singapore, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and New Zealand.