SARIKEI — A RM190,000 covered basketball court will be constructed in Meranti under Sarawak’s 2025 Rural Transformation Programme (RTP), advancing sports infrastructure for the district’s youth.
Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii confirmed the project during a recent courtesy visit from Repok Sarikei Basketball Club Chairman Hii Kah Hock.
The Sarikei MP and Repok Assemblyman emphasized basketball’s growing popularity among local youth: “This facility will nurture emerging talent while instilling sportsmanship,” Huang stated. The covered design addresses Sarawak’s tropical climate, enabling year-round training and competitions despite frequent rainfall.
This initiative extends Huang’s sustained investment in rural sports development. Official records reveal RM1.74 million allocated through RTP over six years:
- 2020: RM500,000
- 2021: RM150,000
- 2022 & 2023: RM200,000 annually
- 2024: RM500,000
- 2025: RM190,000
Note: Figures exclude additional funding via the Minor Rural Project (MRP) Programme.
Huang positioned the court within Sarawak’s broader rural revitalization strategy, noting: “Quality facilities counteract urban migration by creating community hubs.”
The project responds to increasing youth participation in basketball, with regional tournaments attracting 40+ teams annually according to Sarikei Sports Council data.
Construction begins Q3 2025 near SMK Meranti, with the Repok Sarikei Basketball Club assisting in talent development programming. The covered court—featuring floodlights and FIBA-standard flooring—will host school leagues and state-level qualifiers.