KUCHING: The Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) courts will undergo upgrades including improved lighting and expanded spectator seating ahead of the 2027 SEA Games.
Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the upgrades will focus on enhancing functionality and spectator experience while ensuring full compliance with International Tennis Federation (ITF) regulations.
He said work is expected to begin after May and will include improvements to lighting systems across all courts, allowing matches to be played both during the day and at night throughout the SEA Games.
“The spectator grandstand will be widened along the full stretch of the main court. At present, seating is only limited to the middle section.
“So everything will be extended, and the upgrading is expected to start after May,” he told reporters after unveiling the SLTA 2026 International Tournament calendar and announcing the ATF Gold Recognition Award today (Jan 26).
He added that supporting facilities such as the canteen, toilets, media room, medical facilities, and VIP areas will also be upgraded.
Abdul Karim said the main court, which will host the finals, will receive further enhancements to accommodate athletes, officials, spectators, and invited guests.
For the record, the main court is expected to accommodate approximately 700 seated spectators.
He clarified that there are no plans to construct a roofed or indoor centre court, explaining that ITF regulations require uniform court conditions throughout a tournament.
“If one court is indoor, then all courts must be indoor. Likewise, if it is outdoor, then all must be outdoor. We cannot have a situation where some courts are roofed and others are not,” he said.
Abdul Karim added that the upgrading works will be largely internal and will not disrupt other international tournaments scheduled at the SLTA later in the year.
“We feel very honoured to be able to host the SEA Games. This will be the first time SLTA is organising the SEA Games at its own premises,” he said.
SLTA president Datuk Patrick Liew said land limitations and cost considerations also make the construction of an indoor facility impractical, as all 13 courts would need to be enclosed.
“Structurally, we would need to expand over a very wide area, and the cost would be extremely high. Beyond construction, long-term maintenance would also be very costly.
“ITF rules do not allow any unfair advantage — you cannot have some courts indoor and some outdoor. If one is outdoor, everything must be outdoor. If indoor, everything must be indoor,” he said.
Liew also noted that Sarawak’s tennis facilities have received positive feedback at both national and international levels, with former Federal Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh also acknowledging Kuching as a suitable venue for major events.
