Latest news with #BorneoGames
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Borneo Games set for return in September with Sarawak as host
KUCHING: The revived Borneo Games is set to return from Sept 24 to 28 this year, with Sarawak playing host. Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the games were last held in 2013 in Labuan. He said Brunei, East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, Sabah, Labuan and Sarawak will participate in the games. "The games feature over 1,000 athletes and officials in mainstream sports such as athletics, swimming, lawn bowls, archery and badminton, alongside traditional events like menyumpit (blowpipe) and tug-of-war," he said. Karim said this when winding up his ministry's speech at the Sarawak legislative assembly here. He said the games will celebrate Borneo's diverse heritage while fostering deeper connections among its people. He said the first games was hosted by the Seria Recreation Club, Brunei, in 1954. Karim said the games were revived at the suggestion of Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, whose vision was to unite the Bornean people through shared values. He said Abang Johari wanted to foster peace and prosperity, enhance cross-border relationships and empower youth to lead with cultural pride and confidence. Karim said his ministry, together with the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC), will ensure the games serve as a vibrant platform for both athletic excellence and cultural celebration. He said Sarawak has initiated the formation of the Borneo Games Supreme Council which will comprise sports ministers and relevant agencies from participating nations, states and provinces, togovern future editions. He said his ministry has extended official invitations to the participating regions and provinces, sports associations and implementation bodies, to attend a meeting to form the council. Karim also said the federal government has formally agreed for Sarawak to host the opening ceremony of the Sea Games 2027 in Kuching. He said that this was the first time in Sea Games history that Sarawak will serve as a direct host region, an honour that offers an opportunity to showcase Sarawak's cultural vibrancy, hospitality and logistical capabilities to a global audience. He said his ministry is planning a strategic benchmarking visit to Thailand, the host of the Sea Games in 2025, to observe and study the live operations of a major sporting event. "The knowledge gained will help us refine our strategies for 2027," he said.
The Star
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
S'wak making preparations to host 2027 SEA Games opening ceremony, says Abdul Karim
State Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah showing his winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly lobby. KUCHING: Sarawak is making preparations to host the 2027 SEA Games opening ceremony, including learning from the 2025 edition in Thailand later this year, says Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. The state Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister said Sarawak would serve as a direct host for the first time in SEA Games history, with the Federal Government agreeing for Kuching to host the opening ceremony. "This is an honour that offers an opportunity to showcase Sarawak's cultural vibrancy, renowned hospitality and logistical capabilities to a global audience. "As we prepare to welcome Southeast Asia's top athletes in 2027, we recognise that the SEA Games represents more than just competition. They embody regional unity, youth empowerment and the celebration of diversity," he said in his ministerial winding-up at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Tuesday (May 27). To ensure world-class delivery, Abdul Karim said his ministry was planning a benchmarking visit to Thailand to observe and study the live operations of a major sporting event. The 33rd SEA Games is scheduled to be held in Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla, Thailand, from Dec 9 to 20. "The knowledge gained will help us refine our strategies for 2027. "Ultimately, the SEA Games will not only inspire future athletes but also position Kuching as a central hub for international sports in Southeast Asia," he added. Abdul Karim also said Sarawak will host the revived Borneo Games from Sept 24 to 28, featuring over 1,000 athletes and officials from Brunei, East and West Kalimantan, Sabah, Labuan and Sarawak. He said they would compete in mainstream sports such as athletics, swimming, lawn bowls, archery and badminton, alongside traditional events like "menyumpit" (blowpipe) and "tarik tali" (tug of war). "These games will celebrate Borneo's diverse heritage while fostering deeper connections among its peoples," he said. With roots going back to 1954, the Borneo Games were last held in Labuan in 2013. To ensure continuity, Abdul Karim said Sarawak had initiated the formation of the Borneo Games supreme council, comprising sports ministers and relevant agencies from participating nations, states and provinces, to govern future editions. "Official invitations have been extended and final coordination is underway in collaboration with sports associations and implementation bodies, marking a new chapter for this regional sporting legacy," he said.
