KUCHING: Around 1,000 athletes are expected to take part in the Borneo Games Kuching 2025, which will be held at the Sarawak Sports Complex from Sept 24 to 28.
Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) acting chief executive officer (CEO) Khairul Nizam Morshidi said the athletes will represent five contingents – Sarawak, Sabah, the Federal Territory of Labuan, Brunei Darussalam, and East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia.
“As of Sept 7, a total of 357 athletes have registered for the various events lined up for the Games,” he said during UKAS’s ‘Juh Randau’ talk show at the Sarawak Stadium in Petra Jaya recently.
He added that the Games will feature not only core sports such as athletics, swimming, and badminton, but also traditional sports like blowpipe shooting (‘sumpit’) and tug of war, reflecting the spirit of unity and Bornean heritage.
On venue preparations, Khairul, who is also acting director of the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS), said work is in the final phase of technical and logistical coordination. Most venues were already upgraded during last year’s SUKMA Sarawak.
“These include athletics at Sarawak Stadium, swimming at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre, badminton at Stadium Perpaduan, archery at the Archery Arena, and lawn bowls at Sarawak Lawn Bowls Arena.
“The traditional events of blowpipe shooting and tug of war will take place at Field D, Petra Jaya Sports Complex, while the invitational VIP Golf event will be held at Sarawak Golf Club, Petra Jaya,” he explained.
He added that competition schedules are being carefully coordinated by the Sports Managers and Technical Delegates using the Games Management System (GMS), which allows for automated scheduling, real-time monitoring, and flexible tracking of any changes.This ensures no event overlaps and venues are used optimally.
Khairul said that blowpipe shooting may be opened to the public due to limited participation from competing contingents.
In total, around 1,500 officials and volunteers are expected to be involved in the Games.
“In terms of general volunteers, around 150 will assist with event management, medal ceremonies, and venue operations.
“There will also be technical volunteers, bringing the total number of officials to approximately 1,500,” he said.
To further enhance the festive spirit, he said the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MYSED) will be organising the Borneo Carnival, which will bring together entrepreneurs from Sarawak, other participating states, and countries to showcase products and Bornean culture.
On behalf of SSC, he urged the people of Sarawak, especially Kuching residents, to come in full force to the Sarawak Sports Complex in Petra Jaya and cheer for the athletes when the Games kick off on Sept 24.
The closing ceremony on Sept 28 is expected to be officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The Borneo Games Kuching 2025 will feature swimming from Sept 25 to 28 at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre, archery from Sept 25 to 28 at the Sarawak Archery Arena, athletics from Sept 25 to 27 at Sarawak Stadium, tug of war on Sept 27 and 28 at Petra Jaya Sports Complex, and blowpipe shooting on Sept 27 at the same venue.
Badminton will take place from Sept 24 to 28 at Stadium Perpaduan, lawn bowls from Sept 25 to 27 at the Sarawak Lawn Bowls Arena, and the VIP Golf event on Sept 27 and 28 at Sarawak Golf Club.
