MIRI – The Miri Amateur Swimming Association (MASA) has successfully secured the overall champion title at the Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Dr Wong Soon Kai Inter-Club Swimming Championship 2025. The prestigious aquatic event concluded on Sunday, marking another significant milestone in the development of youth sports across the region.
Organised by MASA, the annual championship is a key fixture in the Sarawak sporting calendar. It serves as a tribute to the late Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Dr Wong Soon Kai, a revered Sarawakian leader known for his immense contributions to community development, education, and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle among youths.
His enduring legacy continues to inspire the local sporting fraternity, guiding the vision to nurture athletes who excel both in character and competition.
The 2025 edition of the meet was graced by the Sarawak Minister of Transport, YB Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, who attended as the Guest of Honour. His presence underscored the state government’s continuous support for MASA and the broader aquatic community, ensuring that the necessary infrastructure and backing are available for aspiring athletes.
This year’s competition witnessed a robust turnout, with 278 swimmers representing ten different clubs converging in Miri. The participants hailed not only from various divisions within Sarawak but also from neighbouring Sabah, the Federal Territory of Labuan, and Brunei Darussalam.
This diverse participation highlights the steady growth of competitive swimming in Borneo and reflects the unwavering dedication of clubs, families, and coaches in grooming the next generation of aquatic stars.
Representing the mother body, the Amateur Swimming Association of Sarawak (ASAS) commended the host team for a well-executed event. Special appreciation was directed towards MASA President, Mr Ong Chee Yee, and his committee.
Their teamwork and commitment were pivotal in ensuring the championship ran smoothly, providing a professional platform for the region’s swimmers to test their mettle.
While the event celebrated the pursuit of medals and records, the organisers emphasised that the true value of the championship lies beyond the podium.
The competition is designed to instil essential life skills such as discipline, resilience, and self-confidence. Furthermore, these gatherings play a crucial role in fostering cross-border friendships and camaraderie among youths from different backgrounds.
During the closing ceremony, MASA was officially awarded the 2025 Champion Trophy, a testament to their athletes’ hard work and determination. The organisers congratulated all medal winners on their outstanding achievements while encouraging those who missed out on the podium to view every race as a valuable learning opportunity.
The success of the championship was also attributed to the tireless efforts of technical officials, parents, and volunteers who worked behind the scenes.
Their contributions, alongside the support of various sponsors and agencies, remain fundamental to the continued development of swimming in Sarawak.
As the event concluded, stakeholders looked forward to future collaborations to further strengthen the state’s sporting culture.
