Today is a ‘ground breaking’ day for Penang in the literal sense of the words.

"It is the first time that an international-class equestrian centre is being built in the state," said its Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon at the ‘ground breaking’ ceremony of the Penang International Equestrian Centre (PIEC) at Batu Kawan in the mainland.

Tan Sri Koh said the state will extend its fullest cooperation to the development of the 122-hectare centre, which is undertaken by Abad Naluri Sdn Bhd of the Equine Capital Group for the Penang Turf Club (PNTC) which celebrated its 140th anniversary last year.

Sports and Youth Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said, who officiated the ‘ground breaking’ ceremony called on private sports clubs developing international-standard sports centres to ensure that the facilities will be accessible and affordable to everyone.

She urged these clubs to consider it their "social responsibility" in providing sports facilities to all Malaysians.

"Clubs play a great role in creating national sports champions and in the past a lot of our top athletes have come from the clubs," she said.

She added that although the cost of maintaining an international sports centre was high, accessibility for sportsmen to be groomed into future champions could be worked out with the cooperation among her ministry, the state government and the private sector.

Earlier in his welcoming address, PNTC president Dato Ong Eng Khuan said the club supports equestrian sports, horse training, stable management and other related activities.

"The ultra modern designed PIEC is committed to promote sports and equestrian activities. The centre is expected to cost approximately RM375m to build with the state-of-the-art facilities of international standard.

"The equestrian section of PIEC will be open to the public and would be people-friendly to promote greater interest in the whole spectrum of equestrian activities including horse-riding, especially for children to inculcate greater appreciation in equine hobbies.

"We believe the construction of PIEC will be a catalyst for development in Seberang Perai Selatan and create more job opportunities for the locals. By having more equestrian sports activities, PIEC will attract tourists and horse riding enthusiasts and will promote regional development, tourism in the North (of Malaysia).

"We are confident that PIEC will contribute in terms of advancement of sports and play an important role in bringing about career opportunities.