Johor to hold international-level meets to become sports powerhouse

JOHOR BAHRU: Johor is drawing up the organisation of various international-level sports competitions next year in a bid to turn the state into a sports powerhouse.

Johor State Sports Council director Mohd Ekmaluddin Ishak said, so far, rugby, cycling and athletics are among the competitions it has planned to organise.

He said these competitions will be held in Johor Bahru, in line with the state government's desire to turn the district into a sports hub called JB Sports City as announced under Johor's Budget 2024.

"This JB Sports City will turn Johor into a centre for the organisation of sports events as this state has 11 international-standard sports venues.

"We are still discussing with the stakeholders. So far, we have attracted the interest of sponsors, including banks," he said when asked to comment on plans for JB Sports City.

He said this when met during the final of the 2023 Johor Sevens Rugby Championship at the Johor Rugby Stadium here last night, which was also attended by Johor Bahru City Council Mayor Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, when presenting the Johor Budget 2024 in November, said the state government intended to turn the Johor Bahru district into a sports hub - JB Sports City.

Onn Hafiz said this is to enable Johor to be known as a sports powerhouse, with various international-standard sports facilities available, such as football, and thus help drive the sports industry in the state.

Earlier, Serdang Angels clinched their fifth straight title in the Johor Sevens Rugby Championship when they trounced hosts Sukma Johor 24 (SJ24) 26-0 in the final.

-- BERNAMA