By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, July 8: The Kuching Food Festival 2026 will feature its first-ever Pokémon Trading Card Competition on Aug 2, from 10am to 6pm, at the Kuching City South Council (MBKS) lobby.
MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said the council introduced the competition as part of its efforts to attract younger audiences and gaming enthusiasts beyond the festival’s traditional offerings.
He said the competition, organised by MBKS in partnership with co-organiser Star Studio Sarawak and collaborating partner Isekai, is open to participants of all ages.
“The champion will walk away with RM1,500, while the first and second runners-up will receive RM1,000 and RM500 respectively. Three consolation prizes worth RM300 each will also be awarded.
“The competition is not merely about gaming, but it also promotes strategic thinking, decision-making, communication skills, sportsmanship, and community engagement among participants,” he told a press conference today.
Wee also announced the return of two popular Kuching Festival events — the K-Pop Dance Cover Competition on July 20, from 7pm to 11pm, and the Cosplay Competition on July 25, from 7pm to 11pm, both to be held at the MBKS Theatre.
The K-Pop Dance Cover Competition will offer a grand prize of RM2,000 and a trophy, with RM1,000 and RM500 awarded to the first and second runners-up respectively.
The event will also feature a Best Costume Award worth RM500, while the popular K-Pop Random Play Dance challenge will reward the best performers with RM100.
“Following the overwhelming response to last year’s Kuching Festival Cosplay Competition, the event has been expanded this year to include two categories,” he explained.
The first category, the Cosplay Solo Coswalk Competition, will highlight participants’ creativity, craftsmanship, and attention to detail in costume design.
Contestants will compete for a grand prize of RM1,000, while the second and third-place winners will receive RM800 and RM500 respectively. Five consolation prizes worth RM100 each will also be presented, along with special awards of RM300 each for Best Costume and Crowd’s Favourite.
Also present at the press conference were MBKS Deputy Mayor and Kuching Food Festival 2026 chairman Dato Zaiedi Suhaili, and representatives from Star Studio Sarawak and Isekai. — DayakDaily
