KUCHING: Sri Aman and Betong will anchor Sukan Sarawak (SUKSAR) IV 2026, with Lubok Antu included to support venues and accommodation needs for the multi-sport event.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the inclusion of Lubok Antu was necessary to ease logistical pressures due to the large number of athletes and officials expected.
“I believe that this event, which will be held in these places, will bring a very good spinoff (economically). The spinoff will definitely be very big. I understand that all the hotels, homestays and rest houses in these places are fully booked,” he said.
He made the remarks at a press conference for SUKSAR IV 2026 at his office on the 17th floor of the Baitulmakmur II Building here today (Jan 23).
SUKSAR IV 2026 will be held from February 5 to 8 and serves as Sarawak’s key talent-identification platform ahead of the Selangor-hosted Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in August, where Sarawak will be defending its overall title.
“The purpose of SUKSAR is to carry out preparations and, in addition, to unearth talents that will represent Sarawak in SUKMA,” Abdul Karim said.
He added that Sri Aman and Betong were selected as the main host towns following a decision made during the previous SUKSAR in Sibu, with Lubok Antu brought in as an additional venue due to limited lodging capacity in the two main centres.
A total of 11 sports will be contested across three locations.
Betong will host weightlifting, cycling, netball, and taekwondo.
Sri Aman will feature basketball, petanque, table tennis, softball, and boxing, whereas Lubok Antu will hold sepak takraw and karate events.
More than 1,000 athletes from four zones – North, Central, West, and South are expected to take part, with each contingent capped at a maximum of 257 athletes, excluding officials.
Only athletes aged 21 and below will be eligible to compete, in line with SUKMA regulations, as the event is designed to identify talents capable of representing Sarawak in Selangor.
“Selangor has always been a very, very strong state. If we look at the history of SUKMA, almost half or more than half of the overall champions have come from Selangor.
“So, they will definitely be a formidable team. But we are the defending champions. We have to produce the best team and make sure our victory in 2024 was not just because we held the event at home.
“That is my challenge to all the sports associations to ensure we gain glory again in SUKMA,” he said.
The opening ceremony for SUKSAR will be held in Betong on Wednesday (Feb 4), officiated by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, while the closing ceremony is scheduled to take place in Sri Aman on Sunday (Feb 8), officiated by Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
