KUCHING: Thirteen nations are expected to compete in the Sarawak International Boxing Championship 2026, which will be hosted at the Miri Indoor Stadium.
Sarawak Boxing Association (SABA) president Datuk Rahman Lariwoo said the prestigious championship is scheduled to take place in May 2026, although the exact dates have yet to be finalised.
He said boxers from the Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Indonesia, as well as several states in Malaysia, have so far confirmed their participation.
He then said the championship will be organised through a collaboration between SABA, the Sarawak Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED), and the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP).
“This championship will serve as a preparation and exposure platform for our boxers ahead of SUKMA in Selangor this coming August.
“It is the best opportunity for our athletes to gain experience competing in a high-level, competitive tournament so that they can further sharpen their skills,” he said when met on Sunday (Jan 25).
At the same time, he explained that the championship is also expected to help boost the local tourism sector with the influx of visitors to Miri.
In this regard, he also called for support from corporate bodies and the private sector, especially those based in Miri, to assist SABA in ensuring the successful organisation of the championship.
Commenting on preparations for SUKMA Selangor, Rahman said SABA will send shortlisted athletes to Indonesia and the Philippines for intensive exposure programmes.
He said the programme in Indonesia will be held in June in Pontianak and Jakarta, followed by a month-long stint in Manila, Philippines, in July before departing for Selangor.
“The full list of shortlisted athletes will be known after the Sarawak Games (SUKSAR) IV.
“We will select nine male athletes and three female athletes to carry Sarawak’s challenge in Selangor later,” he said, hinting that several athletes from SUKMA 2024 will be retained for the Selangor campaign.
