KUCHING – The Sarawak contingent for the Borneo Games 2025 demonstrated heightened morale during a motivational session at the Sarawak Sports Village on September 20, embracing a unified drive to champion the regional event.
Dolhadi Marzuki, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development, invoked the state’s triumphant performance at the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA), urging athletes to transcend comfort zones and replicate their historic success.
The gathering emphasized collective identity, with officials and athletes aligning under the theme “Anak Sarawak” (Children of Sarawak) to foster camaraderie and strategic preparedness.
Notably, swimmer Hii Puong Jie symbolized the new generation of talent, reflecting Sarawak’s investment in nurturing homegrown excellence.
The Games, scheduled from September 24–28 at the Petra Jaya Sports Complex, will feature contingents from Sabah, Brunei, Labuan, and East Kalimantan, though West Kalimantan withdrew due to budgetary constraints.
Events include athletics, swimming, badminton, archery, lawn bowls, tug-of-war, and blowpipe shooting, with over 5,000 participants expected.
The Sarawak government’s broader sports strategy includes expanding the Sarawak Sports Village into Malaysia’s largest integrated sports centre and developing 18 mini complexes across districts to bolster talent pipelines.
Mental resilience programs, such as “Peptalk” and teamwork camps, complement physical training, ensuring holistic athlete readiness.
