KUCHING — Sarawak is set to welcome the world of competitive dance as the inaugural Sarawak International Open DanceSport Championship 2025 will take place on 20 September 2025 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
The announcement was made during a press conference by Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, represented by his deputy, YB Datuk Snowdan Lawan, alongside Sarawak DanceSport Association (SDA) President Mr Chester Lim and officials from both the ministry and associations.
Organised by the Sarawak DanceSport Association (SDA), the event is sanctioned by the Malaysia DanceSport Federation (MYDF) and supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) and the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP).
The championship is expected to attract around 200 participants, officials and guests from Malaysia and neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and India. An estimated 300 spectators and diners will be present on the event day.
Audiences can look forward to dazzling performances in the Latin, Standard and Breaking divisions, featuring categories for Open, Adult, Youth, Junior and Juvenile competitors. Participants will vie for the prestigious Sarawak Open titles and a prize pool worth RM30,000, which includes RM15,000 in cash vouchers.
Both MTCP and SDA highlighted that the championship aims not only to promote sports tourism in Sarawak, but also to provide international-level exposure for local dancers and officials. The event is supported by the Sarawak Sports Corporation and the Sarawak State Sports Council, marking a significant step forward in developing DanceSport as a competitive discipline in the state.
The SDA also noted that the event will showcase Sarawak’s warm hospitality while promoting the spirit of Olympism, fostering goodwill and friendship among international participants.
The association expressed gratitude to MTCP and KBS for their strong backing, which has made the inaugural international championship possible. SDA officials present at the announcement included Deputy President Linda Ling, Vice President Dr Victor Bong, Treasurer Poon Tzia Lok, and Committee Member Cindy Chung.
With high-level competition and cultural exchange on the cards, Sarawak is set to make its mark on the world’s DanceSport stage.