KUCHING: West Kalimantan will not be fielding a contingent at the Borneo Games 2025, as the province prioritises budget efficiency measures that include limiting overseas travel.
West Kalimantan State Secretary, Dr Harrison Azroi, in a statement, said the decision was part of an ongoing effort to practise financial prudence, particularly in reducing government-funded overseas travel.
“West Kalimantan is not taking part in the Borneo Games as it is currently undergoing a cost-saving initiative.
“As part of this initiative, one of the key measures emphasised is the restriction of overseas travel,” he said.
This came after the Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, confirmed West Kalimantan’s absence when met by reporters after attending the Kuching Marathon 2025 race pack collection ceremony at Plaza Merdeka on Wednesday.
“The Borneo Games will begin on September 24 and end on September 28. It will involve provinces, countries and states across Borneo – among others Sarawak, Brunei Darussalam, Sabah, Labuan and East Kalimantan.
“West Kalimantan, however, due to unavoidable reasons, will not be sending a contingent. So from Kalimantan, we will only see one province, East Kalimantan, taking part,” he said.
Abdul Karim also announced that all sports will be contested as planned, except for the traditional blowpipe event, which has been dropped due to limited participation.
The traditional tug-of-war remains on the programme alongside athletics, swimming, badminton, archery and lawn bowls, among others.
“This is not only about competition, but also about efforts to strengthen unity and foster closer ties among the provinces, countries and states across the island of Borneo,” he said.
