Miri Outdoor Stadium needs to be upgraded, says Sebastian Ting

suppadmin | May 29, 2026

Sarawak Deputy Minister for Tourism and Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew said there is a need to upgrade the Miri Outdoor Stadium as many of its facilities have become outdated, with some tracks and training areas developing potholes that pose safety risks to athletes.

He said this when met by reporters after inspecting the Miri Outdoor Stadium this morning.

According to Ting, the stadium has for many years served as the main training ground for Miri athletes and has also been an important centre for nurturing local and Sarawak representative athletes, many of whom have gone on to compete at state and national levels.
He pointed out that although several improvement works had been carried out in the past, the overall facilities are no longer fully suitable for current training needs.

“This is not only a training venue for Miri athletes, but also a place that has produced many Sarawak representatives, including athletes competing in school sports and various tournaments,” he said.

He added that many outstanding athletes had emerged from the stadium, including the famous “Flying Dayak”, making further upgrades necessary.

Ting revealed that he had allocated RM600,000 for upgrading works, which was initially intended mainly for the lighting system. However, after conducting an on site inspection, he found that the allocation was insufficient to cover the overall repair and upgrading needs.

He said some sections of the running track and high jump areas are badly damaged, with potholes posing risks of falls and injuries during training.
“After coming here today, I found that apart from the lighting system, there are many other areas that require improvement, so the planning needs to be revised,” he said.

He disclosed that he has instructed the Public Works Department to prepare and resubmit a proposal in order to apply for special allocations and additional Rural Transformation Programme funds for a more comprehensive upgrading project.
Ting said the stadium was built about 40 years ago and although it had undergone several improvements over the years, there is now a need for a complete review of its facility requirements.

He stressed that the stadium remains one of the major sports facilities in northern Sarawak, serving not only Miri but also athletes from Marudi, Bekenu and other northern Sarawak areas, making upgrades essential to meet increasing demand.

“Health is very important, and the development of sports facilities must be given serious attention,” he said.