By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, March 31: The Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) International X-Games 2026 returns bigger and bolder, bringing adrenaline-fuelled action from April 8 to 12, with over 200 local and international athletes converging at the Kuching Waterfront.
The event, organised by DBKU with the support of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED), the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP), and Canard Group, offers a total cash prize of RM15,200.
Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the event reflects the steady growth of extreme sports, which has been gaining increasing interest both globally and in Sarawak.
“This is not the first time it has been held. It has already been organised twice before and continues to grow every year.
“Following the success of DBKU’s Extreme Games in 2024 and 2025, this edition will be bigger and more prestigious. It will also collaborate with the event group hosting the Pro Urban Sports Festival, themed ‘Unleash the Action’, which reflects courage, creativity, and high-level skills among extreme sports athletes,” he said during a press conference at BaitulMakmur II in Petra Jaya here today.
He added that the event also promotes active and dynamic lifestyle among youths.
“I am not surprised many will come to Kuching just to be part of this event,” he said, noting that the programme also serves as a strategic platform to position Sarawak as a leading destination for extreme sports while empowering youth participation.
The five-day event will feature Junior (under 15) and Open categories, with events including aggressive rollerblading, BMX flatland, BMX stunt, water sports, skateboarding, pickleball and street basketball.
Abdul Karim also stated workshops on skateboarding and rollerblading will also be held and open to the public, particularly youths interested in learning basic skills and techniques.
Meanwhile, DBKU mayor Hilmi Othman said the city is expanding its focus beyond infrastructure development to include urban sports as part of its growth agenda.
“We want to play a role in activating urban sports festivals in our city,” he said, adding that the event has evolved from local-level activities to national and now international recognition over the past three years.
He stressed that safety remains a key priority in extreme sports, alongside proper training and structured skill development.
“Without safety measures, extreme sports can be harmful. But we have seen strong emphasis on safety from experienced athletes, especially in BMX and related disciplines,” he said.
Canard Group CEO Nik Mohammad Suhaily said the event has attracted participation from about 10 countries, including France, South Africa, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.
He also highlighted the return of jet ski action at the Kuching Waterfront for the first time since 2009, describing it as a boost for water sports activities.
“This will be an exciting addition. We are also introducing pickleball, with four courts prepared at the Kuching Waterfront, along with street basketball,” he said.
Nik added that the event is part of the Urban World Series, with professional BMX riders and skateboarders from Europe expected to compete in Kuching.
Also present were MTCP Permanent Secretary Morshidi Frederick, MYSED Permanent Secretary Dzulkornain Masron and DBKU deputy director for Infrastructure Services (INS). — DayakDaily
