US$10.7 MLN SPORTS CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- Work on a sports centre of excellence for
the disabled (OKU) costing RM39 million (US$10.7 million) will start by the
middle of the year.

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Wee Jeck Seng said the high performance
sports centre to be built in Kampung Pandan was needed to prepare athletes for
sports championships at home and abroad.

Wee was replying to a question by Baharum Mohamed, a MP on the
ministry's plan to build a sports centre for the disabled in Lower House of
Parliament here Monday.

He said the ministry and consultants had sought views of the Malaysian
Paralympic Council in preparing the centre's design to meet the needs of
disabled athletes.

The sports centre to be built on a 1.84 hectare (9.2acre) site will comprise
an administration block, hostel for 300 people, swimming pool, archery range and
other infrastructure.

-- BERNAMA