Most venues for SEA Games to be completed in March and April - Lokman

Upgrading and refurbishment of sports venues and facilities for the 29th SEA Games hosted by Malaysia from Aug 19 to 31, is expected to be completed in March.

Youth and Sports Ministry secretary-general Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali said most of the venues that would be completed next month are existing venues that were upgraded or refurbished.

"Work carried out at the venues is monitored every week and we make sure all work in progress is carried out according to plans and specification.

"Most venues will be ready in March and April, in time for the pre-games that will be organised," he told reporters after a briefing of venues to all heads 2017 SEA Games chef-de-mission at the National Sports Council Auditorium in Bukit Jalil, here today. "All venues will be completed on schedule."

Among the venues to be completed in March and April are the Basketball Stadium (MABA Stadium); 3Q Equestrian Centre in Rawang (dressage and show jumping); National Velodrome in Nilai (track cycling and BMX); Pudu Ulu Recreation Centre in Cheras (petanque) and Kuala Football Stadium in Cheras.

Work on the Akademi Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara will also be completed in March, he said.

Meanwhile, Malaysia SEA Games Organising Committee (MASOC) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Zolkples Embong said pre-games for all sports would start once the venues are completed in March.

- BERNAMA