KUCHING: Sarawak is set to host the Borneo Games Kuching 2025 from September 24 to 28, with participation from Brunei Darussalam, Sabah, Labuan and East Kalimantan.
Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Morshidi Fredrick, said the games will return after more than 10 years, with the last edition held in Labuan in 2013.
He pointed out that the Borneo Games will not only serve as a platform to uplift the sporting spirit but also strengthen unity among Borneo communities.
“This year’s Borneo Games will not only test the strength of athletes but also provide young athletes with greater exposure to build resilience and experience in competing against opponents with international backgrounds,” he said during the ‘Juh Randau’ programme organised by the UKAS here today.
The event, he said, is also expected to generate economic spillover for the state through the arrival of athletes, coaches and supporters.
With an allocation of RM7.5 million, the Borneo Games 2025 will feature seven sports, namely athletics, swimming, badminton, archery and lawn bowls, along with two traditional sports namely tug of war and blowpipe shooting.
A golf event for VIPs will also be included.
Among the main venues identified are Sarawak Stadium, Unity Indoor Stadium, Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre, Sarawak Arena Archery, Field D of Petra Jaya Sports Complex, Sarawak Lawn Bowls Arena and Sarawak Golf Club.
Morshidi said preparations are being carried out in close collaboration with the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC), state sports associations and experienced technical committees, particularly those involved in SUKMA 2024, to ensure competition standards meet international benchmarks.
He added that special training for volunteers will be held in early September, while online registration for athletes through the Games Management System will close on August 29.
To add vibrancy to the event, local communities will also be involved through a sales festival to showcase Sarawak handicrafts and food products.
Morshidi expressed confidence that with strong local support, the Borneo Games Kuching 2025 will serve as a catalyst for the state’s sports industry and strengthen Sarawak’s position as a sporting powerhouse by 2030.
