25th Highlanders Games Carnival in Miri expecting nearly 1,000 athletes
(From second left) Gerawat, Romeo and others in a photo call, taken during the 'Operation Semut' event recently held in the Bario Kelabit highlands.
MIRI (May 3): Highlanders Games Carnival 2025 @ Miri, returning for its 25th edition from May 31 to June 2, is expected to draw nearly 1,000 athletes from across the country.
Organised by Highlanders Sports Club (KSH), the biennial event will draw participants from across Sarawak and Malaysia, with major contingents from Kuala Lumpur, Sabah, and the highland regions.
This edition not only marks a legacy of sporting camaraderie, but also reflects the club's enduring role in uniting the Kelabit and Saban communities through sport and culture.
The event will feature a diverse array of team sports, including football and volleyball, alongside individual events like golf, e-games, and more.
Additionally, traditional games such as blowpipe shooting, tug-of-war, and arm wrestling will highlight the cultural heritage of the highland communities.
Activities will be hosted at various venues across Miri, with the local Petroleum Recreation Club (KRP) tentatively set to host both the opening and closing ceremonies.
The carnival's atmosphere will be further enhanced by food and local product stalls, offering visitors a taste of highland culture.
KSH president Romeo Peter Raja in a statement said this year's edition goes beyond athletic competition by focusing on togetherness and family involvement.
'We want to involve the whole family, from the children's games to dancing and karaoke,' he said, emphasising that the main goal is to bring the community closer together.
'I firmly believe that a family that plays together, stays together,' he added.
Moreover, KSH will celebrate its 40th anniversary in two years, a significant milestone for the club.
From its modest beginnings, KSH has grown into a nationally recognised platform for sporting and cultural exchange among the Kelabit and Saban communities.
'As a former president of KSH, I am proud to see the continued growth and success of this significant event under the leadership of capable presidents over the years,' said Deputy Minister in Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) and Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala.
He is also expected to attend the closing ceremony, celebrating the ongoing success of the carnival.
As the Highlanders Games Carnival prepares to welcome athletes, families, and supporters to Miri, the spirit of unity, heritage, and friendly competition continues to stand at the heart of this community celebration. Highlanders Games Carnival lead miri
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