MIRI: The city’s swimming scene is riding a new wave of momentum as the 24th Miri Invitational Age Group Swimming Championship is scheduled to kick off on June 20 at the Gymkhana Club Miri (GCM).
Running until June 24, the five-day meet promises to be one of the biggest and most competitive editions yet.
Expected to grace the opening ceremony is Minister for Transport, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin.
Organising chairman Councillor George Ngieng said the championship has recorded a significant rise in participation this year, with 316 swimmers competing, up from 251 in 2024.
“It’s a strong indicator that swimming is gaining real traction here. The talent pool is expanding, and we’re proud to be nurturing the next generation of athletes,” he said.
Twelve teams are taking part, representing Miri, Brunei, Labuan, Bintulu, and Sarikei.
With 1,660 event entries logged, the sheer scale of the meet underscores its position as one of East Malaysia’s premier age-group swimming events.
The championship, which caters to various age categories, is more than just a competition.
For many of these young swimmers, it is a proving ground, offering not just medals but a chance to gain experience, test endurance, and build lifelong friendships through sport.
“This is about more than swimming fast,” said MASA president Ong Chee Yee. “It’s about building character, promoting discipline, and bringing communities together. We’re proud of what this meet has become.”
The organisers are already setting their sights beyond regional borders. With solid local support and growing interest, plans are underway to attract more international teams in the coming years-potentially transforming the championship into a global youth swimming fixture.
All eyes will turn to the GCM swimming pool once again on June 22 at 4pm, when the closing ceremony takes place.
