By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Sept 24: The long-awaited Borneo Games Kuching (BGK) 2025 officially kicked off today, rekindling excitement among 1,000 athletes and officials from Sabah, Labuan, East Kalimantan (Indonesia), Brunei, and host Sarawak following a 12-year hiatus.
In his opening speech at Indoor Stadium in Petra Jaya, Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Rahman Karim Hamzah highlighted that the Games’ revival is a vision inspired by the Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, aimed at fostering unity across the region, strengthening camaraderie, and providing young athletes a platform to continue competing after SUKMA 2024.
“The Borneo Games Kuching 2025 is not just a competition arena. It is a platform for sports diplomacy, cultural exchange, and friendships that transcend borders,” he said.
Abdul Karim also emphasised that the event aligns with Sarawak’s Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, particularly the ambition to establish the State as a regional sports hub by 2030.
“BGK 2025 not only celebrates athletic excellence but also demonstrates Sarawak’s readiness to host international-class sporting events,” he added, noting that the Games present opportunities to boost sports tourism, generate economic benefits for local communities, and strengthen Sarawak’s regional and global profile.
He further highlighted that the Sarawak’s international-class sports facilities are now open for use by neighbouring East Kalimantan Province and Brunei as potential joint training centres, fostering regional collaboration in sports development.
The BGK 2025, running from Sept 24 to 28, features five core sports of athletics, aquatics, badminton, lawn bowls, and archery, alongside a traditional Borneo heritage sport of tug of war, and a VIP golf event, promising a blend of competitive spirit and cultural celebration. — DayakDaily
