Earlier this month, the Terengganu state government had relayed their plans to restore the abandoned RM400 million Terengganu Knowledge Park in Besut and they are considering transforming the place into Malaysia’s first full-fledged sports university.

According to New Straits Times (NST), Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said the state is taking into consideration the Terengganu youth’s desire for a dedicated sports university and acknowledge the potential of the state in becoming a sports powerhouse.

"The youths have expressed their views on the sports requirements (needed) to enable the next generation to focus on sports, and become successful athletes globally, 30 years from now," Ahmad Razif was quoted by NST as saying at the TN50 Dialogue on Monday.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin told the daily that he will discuss the matter further with the Education Ministry.

The Terengganu Knowledge Park was initially scheduled for completion in 2008 but the project was halted due to various factors. The semi-completed park currently remains abandoned on a 280-hectare site at Tembila, located about 15km away from Besut.

The park was meant to be an education hub with six tertiary education institutions aimed at transforming Besut into a centre of educational excellence.