KUCHING – Sixteen sports have been officially confirmed for Sarawak’s role as a host venue for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2027, with discussions ongoing about the inclusion of several additional events.
According to Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak’s Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, requests from participating countries may see the list expanded by two or three more sports. He noted that Sarawak itself could also be allocated an extra discipline to host.
“For the SEA Games, 16 sports have already been confirmed to be contested. However, there is a possibility of two or three new sports being introduced following requests from other countries,” Abdul Karim told reporters after launching the Borneo Games Kuching (BGK) 2025 at Stadium Perpaduan, Petra Jaya.
The confirmed line-up features a range of disciplines, including archery, aquatics, shooting, tenpin bowling, taekwondo, tennis, squash, cricket, Muay Thai, and weightlifting, among others.
Abdul Karim, who also serves as Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, revealed that the state government has approved the construction of a velodrome to strengthen cycling events and support athlete development. He said Sarawak’s cycling talents are already among the top performers at the junior level nationally.
Deputy Ministers Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu and Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat, both from the Ministry for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, were present at the launch. Also attending were Sheikh Abdul Mahdani Dato Paduka Sheikh Abdul Ghani, Consul General of Brunei Darussalam; Datu Sherrina Hussaini, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts; Datuk Mansur Asun, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Sabah; and Morshidi Frederick, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak, alongside other invited guests.
The confirmation of sports and infrastructure plans marks an early milestone as Sarawak prepares to co-host the region’s premier sporting event in 2027.