KUCHING – The Borneo Gymkhana 2025 Moto Race, held at the State Stadium bus parking lot on Saturday, has been hailed as a vital platform for discovering and nurturing motorsports talent at the grassroots level in Sarawak.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC), Khairul Nizam Morshidi, said the event provided local athletes with the opportunity to showcase their abilities while being assessed for long-term development.
He emphasised that SSC is committed to strengthening motorsports as part of the state’s broader sports development plan.
“SSC has a dedicated officer who monitors motorsports development to ensure that local talents can be identified and guided to state, national and international levels,” he explained after officiating the opening ceremony.
The race was organised in collaboration with the Sarawak Youth and Sports Department (JBS) and the Sarawak Motorsports Association, marking the first time such a tournament has been held in the state.
Khairul Nizam noted that junior athletes would be evaluated by a technical team based on their performance and skills, with the aim of identifying promising talents for future advancement.
Project Officer for Gymkhana Moto Racing, Mohd Nadzrul Idzlan, highlighted that the programme served as a talent search medium, particularly for the Gymkhana discipline which focuses on precision and control rather than speed alone.
“This programme promotes motorsports talent discovery. Unlike drag racing, Gymkhana tests a rider’s ability to control their motorcycle with skill and accuracy,” he said.
He added that participation required a racing licence recognised by the Malaysian Motorsports Association (MAM), ensuring compliance with safety and technical standards.
Also present at the event was Bronnie Marshall, Head of Information and Race Manager of the Sarawak Motorsports Association, who underscored the importance of such initiatives in building a strong foundation for motorsports in Sarawak.
The Borneo Gymkhana 2025 Moto Race is expected to become a recurring event, offering young riders a pathway to professional motorsports while promoting safe and disciplined racing practices.
