BANGKOK: Sarawak is sending 54 athletes to the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the highest number the state has contributed to date, says Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Deputy Minister Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu.
He said the increase reflects the effectiveness of Sarawak’s athlete development programmes.
“We have about 54 athletes from Sarawak representing Malaysia, which is an increase compared to previous games.
“This is encouraging as it means our development programmes are effective, providing athletes with opportunities to compete at the regional level,” he told reporters when met at the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) here today (Dec 8).
Rentap noted that while the SEA Games feature over 50 sports and more than 400 events—offering a wider range of competition categories—the increased representation from Sarawak is a source of pride.
When asked about the current state of Sarawak’s athletes at the Games, Rentap said feedback from the delegation and the athletes themselves has been positive.
“Many of our athletes are in high spirits. We visited the bowling centre and heard from some of our bowlers that they are proving to be a force to be reckoned with,” he said.
Highlighting the wider significance of the Games, Rentap said it is not just about winning medals but also about the spirit of sportsmanship and regional cooperation.
“The SEA Games are an important platform where athletes from ASEAN countries come together, not only to compete but also to build friendships and connections that extend beyond sport,” he said.
Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about the ongoing development of Sarawak’s sports programmes and the future potential of its athletes on regional and international stages.
“Most importantly, they’re not only representing Sarawak, they’re representing Malaysia. Hopefully, they can win for Malaysia,” he said.
Also present with Rentap were Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat, Deputy State Secretary (Operations), Datuk Hii Chang Kee, and Acting chief executive officer of Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) Khairul Nizam Morshidi, and Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) Permanent Secretary, Morshidi Frederick.
