Khairy gives thumbs up to progress of MiTEC venue

In focus: Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (left) watching the national boxers in training at the SEA Games venue in MiTEC yesterday. — S.S.KANESAN / The Star

PETALING JAYA: It is all systems go for the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games from Aug 19-30.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin gave the thumbs up after visiting the Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MiTEC) – one of the cluster venues for the Games – in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

MiTEC is the country’s largest exhibition space with 11 halls and can accommodate up to 40,000 visitors at a time.

It will stage eight sports – boxing, fencing, gymnastics, indoor hockey, Muay, table tennis, volleyball and weightlifting – as well as the Main Press Centre (MPC) and the International Broadcast Centre (IBC).

“I’m satisfied with the progress of the MiTEC venue,” said Khairy after an inspection yesterday.

“It’s about 98% complete. The last 2% is just touch-ups and to install some technical equipment.

“The arenas for the various sports are almost completed and the spectator seats have also been put up.

“It will be ready for the official handover on Aug 8 which the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) will officiate.”

Khairy added that some national sports associations would be given permission to use the venues before the Games.