KUCHING: Sarawak’s U16 cricket players, many from the newly established Cricket Development Centre (CDC), prepare for their first major national outing, marking a key step toward building a competitive state team.
This year’s participation in the SPORTEXCEL MILO MCA U16 Inter State 50 Overs Challenge Cup 2025 represents a significant milestone in Sarawak’s cricket development journey.
It is the state’s debut in this prestigious tournament, reflecting the progress of youth cricket development programs across Sarawak.
Vice-President of the Sarawak Cricket Association, Victor Graman, expressed optimism about the team’s prospects and the broader impact of the event.
“This championship is not only a competitive platform but also a strong indicator that our youth development programmes are bearing fruit.
“Many are products of our newly launched Cricket Development Centre (CDC) at SMK Tun Abang Haji Openg. This platform provides crucial exposure to competitive, national-level cricket,” he told Sarawak Tribune when contacted recently.
The tournament will be held from November 29 to December 7, 2025, at key venues including Bayuemas Cricket Oval, UKM Oval, and Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar (KTJ) in Mantin, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.
Should Sarawak qualify, they will advance to the Premier Cup, scheduled from December 9 to 19, 2025.
“Our primary objective is to expose the boys to the highest level of youth cricket in Malaysia, helping them gain confidence and experience competing under pressure.
“While winning matches is always a bonus, our main focus remains on player growth, team cohesion, and executing the fundamentals under pressure,” Victor added.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to elevate cricket standards in Sarawak, with both men’s and women’s teams showing promising development through structured training programmes across the state.
As the young team continues to take to the field, Victor anticipates strong performances and invaluable experience that will pave the way for future success.
