PENANG, November 2015 – Founder and Chairman of AmBank Group, Tan Sri Azman Hashim recently unveiled the Azman Hashim USM Sports Arena at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

The corporate figure and philanthropist, well-known for his various contributions to charity and educational projects said, this centre would be another landmark of close relations between USM and the community, hence assisting the University in realising its efforts towards financial sustainability.

“I hope this sports complex would benefit and meet the needs of the USM community, both students and staff and also members of the public from the neighbouring areas for their sports and recreational activities,” he said in his officiating speech.

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor of USM, Professor Dato’ Dr. Omar Osman welcomed the contribution from the Azman Hashim Foundation at a time when the university needs to deal with the reduction in government funding and to lessen the current dependency on the government.

“One of the ways in dealing with the current situation is by means of a cooperation with various parties, especially the private sector and trust bodies or foundations, not only in the context of the construction of buildings but also in the form of provision of funds for research and assistance for the students,” he added.

He hopes that, the Azman Hashim USM Sports Arena would be a one-stop centre for the public to utilise the facilities provided.

“It is hoped that in the long-run, USM would be independent and could generate the income for the maintenance costs and also in raising the funds to assist in the development of various sports and recreational events at USM,” said Omar at a media conference after the officiating ceremony.

The sports arena, built at a cost of RM10 million, only took 11 months to be completed (in September) and provides among others a AmBank@USM One-Stop Centre, a gymnasium, a sports training centre and an events arena which can accommodate up to 2,000 people at one time.

The built-up area of the whole building is approximately 54,880 sq ft and the arena can be used for multiple international and local sporting events such as futsal, volleyball, basketball and badminton.

The arena is also fully fitted with LED lighting, the first of its kind in Penang.

Others who attended the ceremony were the Pro-Chancellor of USM Tan Sri Datuk Mustafa Mansur, the Deputy Vice-Chancellors of USM and key officials of the university and AmBank Group.

Text: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin & Tan Ewe Hoe

Photos: Mohd Fairus Md. Isa