KUCHING: Ten days of world-class competition, international camaraderie and memorable performances came to a fitting close on Monday (Jul 6) as the 2026 IBF World Youth Championships ended here, with hosts Malaysia finishing second overall and Sarawak earning praise for delivering the global event.
Malaysia ended the championships with two gold medals and one bronze, finishing behind the United States, who topped the medal standings with two gold, two silver and three bronze medals. Australia placed third overall.
The national team struck gold in the Girls’ Doubles and Mixed Team events, with Sarawakian Ethan Damien Goh Chen Ming, the state’s only representative in Team Malaysia, among the gold medallists in what was his World Youth Championships debut on home soil.
Held at Megalanes Sarawak from Jun 27 to Jul 6, the tournament welcomed youth bowlers from 34 countries, transforming Kuching into the centre of world youth bowling over the past 10 days.
Representing Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the closing ceremony, Deputy Minister Gerald Rentap Jabu described the championship as more than a sporting competition.
“I watched the final matches today and they were truly nail-biting. What we witnessed was the pinnacle and future of world bowling,” he said during his speech.
Gerald thanked the International Bowling Federation (IBF), participating nations, officials, volunteers and organisers for contributing to the championship’s success.
He also reaffirmed Sarawak’s commitment to hosting more international sporting events, saying the state stands ready to support future IBF tournaments.
“We are absolutely ready anytime for major competitions that you want to organise. With the full support of the Sarawak government, we will continue bidding to host more IBF events here in Kuching,” he said.
Gerald said the championships had showcased not only sporting excellence but also the friendships built through competition.
“Playing in Sarawak is beyond just bowling. It is also about friendship with one another.
“Please bring back the sweet memories of Sarawak, our hospitality and the friendships you have made here,” he said.
Earlier, Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) president Datuk Mohd Najeeb Abdullah congratulated the newly crowned champions while reminding athletes that success could not be measured by medals alone.
“Whether you are going home with a medal or not, the true objective of this championship was always about the journey.
“You have shared meals, traded jerseys and built bridges across cultures. These friendships forged in the heat of competition are the real trophies of this championship,” he said.
Najeeb also thanked the Sarawak government, Amateur Bowling Association of Sarawak (ABAS), volunteers, sponsors and technical officials for ensuring the championships were delivered to international standards.
As the IBF flag was officially handed over to Hong Kong, China, the curtain fell on a championship that not only produced future world stars but also reinforced Sarawak’s growing reputation as a destination capable of staging major international sporting events.
