JOHOR BARU: The Johor government will work with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to make equestrian a popular sport in the state.

State Youth and Sports Committee chairman Md Jais Sarday said UTM had the infrastructure as well as the knowledge on equestrian sport to create awareness among the public.

He added that UTM had an equestrian centre within the main campus here, which could help garner interest of the sport in the state.

“Besides the equestrian centre, UTM have also been actively involved in promoting and organising equestrian competitions over the last five years, attracting many international participants to the state.

“The state government hopes its collaboration with UTM makes equestrian a popular sport in Johor but would also unearth hidden talents,” he said.

Md Jais said Johor had no equestrian athletes and hoped the scenario would change.

He said this after officiating the UTM International Equine Seminar held in conjunction with the UTM International Johor Horse Show 2012 which ended Saturday.

In another matter, Md Jais said the state government was looking for a plot of land within Iskandar Malaysia to build the country’s first ever polo stadium.

He said the state government was currently discussing the matter with the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) to construct the stadium.

“We are still in discussion. However, a plot of land in Nusajaya has been identified for the stadium,” he said.

Meanwhile, a group of special children from SK Kompleks Bandar Uda took the opportunity the see the horses first hand at the show.

Source; Star Property