|
Avoiding The
White
Elephant Tag
For Gong
Badak |
Dikemaskini :
22 Apr 2008 08:53 AM
The inclusion of a
48-lane bowling
alley as well as
eight squash courts
will ensure that the
Main Stadium in Gong
Badak avoid the tag
of ever being a
white elephant after
their hosting of the
SUKMA XII TERENGGANU
2008 on 31 May to 9
June 2008.
Encik Arpin Deraman,
the Chief Executive
Officer of
Secretariat SUKMA
XII Terengganu 2008,
said that the
decision to build
the bowling alley as
well as the squash
courts does not only
have merits in terms
of cutting down on
the overall hosting
budget.
“What we have learn
from the other SUKMA
hosts is that we
need to avoid
unnecessary
expenditures and
with the decision to
build the bowling
alley and the squash
courts inside the
Main Stadium we
saved money in that
we do not have to
totally erect new
buildings to house
these facilities,”
said Arpin.
“Apart from it being
a cost cutting
measure, the
inclusion of these
two structures will
also make the Main
Stadium Gong Badak
public-friendly
after the SUKMA XII.
“We intend to make
full use of the
available facilities
at the Main Stadium
for the general
public where we hope
that the stadium
will not only be
used for football
matches or athletics
alone. It is a sure
way of avoiding the
white elephant tag.”
While the eight
squash courts have
been completed, the
bowling alley which
is on the second
floor of the
grandstand is
nearing completion
with 48 lanes.
“The facilities are
world class and I
don’t think that
there should be any
complains about the
standard of the
equipment. All that
we are doing is to
build these
facilities into the
Main Stadium,” added
Arpin.
“I believe that
after the recent
visit by the head of
delegations, they
are all excited with
the prospect and
looking forward to
using them during
the tournament
proper.
“The squash courts
and the bowling
alley will be
available to the
public all year
round and will be
used to generate
income and business
opportunities. It
will also help to
create a sporting
culture among the
Terengganu populace
especially in the
Gong Badak area
where we also hope
that it will
facilitate in the
development of
future athletes for
state and country.”
