By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, June 15: Project Shori, a six-day event celebrating gaming, arts and local entrepreneurship, will take place at Dewan Masyarakat Jalan Padungan from June 16 to 21.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng announced that the event, organised by Isekai with support from the council, aims to connect youth, hobbyists and entrepreneurs while fostering community growth and creativity.
He said the programme would provide opportunities for young people, collectors, artists, entrepreneurs, food vendors and hobby communities to connect, exchange ideas and showcase their talents.
“Project Shori was created to bridge the gap by providing a platform where communities can gather, share ideas and celebrate their interests in a positive and inclusive environment,” he said during a press conference on the event today.
Wee noted that while trading card games, collectibles, creative arts and independent brands have grown rapidly in popularity among younger generations, opportunities for these communities to reach wider audiences remain limited.
He added that Project Shori would offer a healthy avenue for youth engagement at a time when many young people spend much of their time on mobile devices and social media.
According to him, activities such as tournaments, community programmes and creative showcases will encourage participants to interact face-to-face, helping to build confidence, communication skills and friendships.
“These real-life interactions help strengthen social bonds, develop interpersonal skills and foster a stronger sense of belonging within the community,” he said.
Beyond community engagement, Wee said the event would create economic opportunities for local food vendors, creators, independent brands and small businesses by providing a platform to promote their products and services.
He added that Project Shori reflects Kuching’s evolving cultural landscape, where creative industries, pop culture and youth-led communities are becoming increasingly important contributors to the city’s development.
Wee also expressed hope that the event would attract visitors, collectors and players from across Sarawak and beyond, benefiting the tourism, hospitality, retail, and food and beverage sectors.
Visitors can look forward to various activities, competitions and lucky draw prizes, including a grand prize of RM888 to be awarded on the final day of the event.
Participants may enter the lucky draw by completing a registration form at the organisers’ booth during the event.
“MBKS supports initiatives such as Project Shori because they help build a more dynamic, creative and inclusive city while creating sustainable opportunities for future generations,” he said.
Also present were MBKS Deputy Mayor Dato Zaiedi Suhaili and Isekai representatives Alex Sim, Ashton Chai and Alex Chua. — DayakDaily
