The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) is exploring potential sports complexes to be offered for privatisation projects to private parties or certain organisations for sport championships activities as well as more systematic sports development programmes.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad highlighted this with regards to sports infrastructure during the 21st Legislative Council (LegCo) session yesterday.
The enhancement and upgrading of sports infrastructure is implemented in phases and in stages according to priorities of long-term investment returns, safety viability and planned and prudent allocations. There are a total of 37 sports complexes and facilities that have been provided throughout the country.
Most of these sports complexes have been operating since 1999, which in the long term require continuous maintenance to ensure the safety and comfort of users with an allocation of BND4 million.
Priority is given to critical maintenance aspects such as building structures, lighting systems, ventilation systems and basic facilities including changing rooms and toilets.
However, it must be determined that this amount is not only allocated for the sports complexes but include the maintenance of all other assets under the control of the Youth and Sports Department such as sports science research, medical centre, youth centre and branch offices of the Youth and Sports Department in districts throughout the country.
The Youth and Sports Department has compiled a list of upgrading and enhancement programmes strategically according to the needs and priorities in each district and also according to the scale of the project requiring maintenance, and improvement projects required for each sports complex facility.
Among the initiatives being explored include the use of solar energy to save on operating costs and construction of a roof for the outdoor court to ensure that the facility is more user-friendly and can be used in various weather conditions, making sure that equipment are protected and not damaged by the elements.
The MCYS’ expenditure estimate for the financial year 2025/2026 is formed with an evidence-based approach and best practices.
This is to ensure that the resources allocated produce the quality of services and the impact of intervention programmes without affecting the well-being of the community, especially the target groups.
The minister said this allocation will be fully optimised in further improving quality services towards realising an excellent Bruneian community.
He welcomed the proposal suggested by LegCo member Chong Chin Yee to implement a specific financial literary programme for youth to equip them with long-term financial management skills and competencies.
This is in line with the goals of the national youth policy and the Strategy 2020-2035, namely to generate youth who are holistic in all aspects.
This matter is in the ministry’s planning through the Youth and Sports Department to empower youth associations and movements in financial management and administration skills or governance.
In addition, the National Council for Financial Literacy (MKCK), of which the MCYS is one of the members of the council, is actively implementing several programmes aimed at increasing financial literacy, including awareness of financial fraud in Brunei Darussalam, such as financial awareness roadshows in collaboration with stakeholders.
Under the MKCK, there are three pillars for the term 2018-2022, which have been successfully implemented according to the set key performance indicators (KPIs), with pillar one is Brunei’s production and planning of the Brunei Darussalam Financial Literacy Framework for the primary level implemented in 2021 and the secondary and pre-university levels in 2023.
The ministry welcomes cooperation to move forward together with the Brunei Youth Council or any youth association or movement to come forward to collaborate with this ministry and the MKCK towards participating in and benefiting from existing programmes. – Fadhil Yunus
