By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 28: Sarawak is set to develop a sports village, build a new velodrome in Kuching and establish a racing circuit as part of the State’s major investment in sports facilities.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to sports development, not only to benefit Sarawakian youths but also to be shared with athletes across the region.
He pointed out that this commitment is also demonstrated through Sarawak’s role as co-host of the SEA Games 2027, with the official opening ceremony scheduled to take place in Kuching as agreed at the national level.
“We will develop our sports village here and equip it with a new velodrome that will be built in Kuching. For motor sports, we will also construct a racing circuit in Sarawak.
“These are the facilities we are building as an investment to strengthen discipline among young people through sports and, most importantly, to instil a resilient spirit to win in any event they participate in,” he said when officiating the closing ceremony of the Borneo Games 2025 at Penview Convention Centre (PCC) Demak here this evening.
Abang Johari added that the revival of the Borneo Games this year has strengthened ties and solidarity among athletes across the island.
“The real winners are all the athletes who competed. What matters is the good relationship among athletes in Borneo, the opportunity to assess their standards, and the hope that one day Borneo athletes will shine on bigger stages such as the SEA Games, Commonwealth Games and even the Olympic Games,” he said.
The Premier also expressed support for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah’s proposal to invite athletes from other countries to future editions of the Games.
“That way, we can measure our standards against the benchmark of world sports,” he emphasised.
At the ceremony, Abang Johari presented the Best Male Athlete Award to Sarawak’s 22-year-old Hii Puong Wei, who won seven gold medals and one silver, and the Best Female Athlete Award to Sarawak’s 15-year-old Chereen Ngo Yirui, who bagged five gold, two silver and one bronze.
Sarawak emerged as the overall champion of the Borneo Games 2025 with a commanding lead, amassing 62 gold, 61 silver and 45 bronze medals. The host State’s dominance was evident as it secured nearly three times more gold medals than its closest contender, showcasing the strength and depth of its athletes.
Sabah came in second with 26 gold, 23 silver and 33 bronze, followed by East Kalimantan in third with 12 gold, 11 silver and 8 bronze.
Labuan placed fourth with 5 gold, 7 silver and 11 bronze, while Brunei rounded off the table with 4 gold, 7 silver and 18 bronze.
Also present were Brunei Darussalam’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dato Seri Setia Awang Nazmi Awang Mohamad; Sabah Minister of Youth and Sports, Datuk Ellron Alfred Angin; Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah; Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport and Entrepreneur Development (Youth and Sport Development) Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu; Labuan Contingent chief Dato Parang Abai@Thomas; and East Kalimantan Contingent chief H Husinsyah MT. — DayakDaily
