By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 28: Sarawak will embark on extensive upgrading works on several key sports facilities as part of its preparations to co-host the 2027 SEA Games with Kuala Lumpur, with Kuching confirmed as the venue for the opening ceremony.
Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development as well as Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said Sarawak has been given the first right to select which sports to host and will be staging 16 events—the highest number compared to other venues.
“We will be the host together with Kuala Lumpur in 2027 and one of the conditions we set with the federal government was that the opening ceremony must be held in Kuching.
“If you don’t allow us to do the opening ceremony, then we will not be the host,” he said during a press conference after officiating the 3rd YSD Malaysian Super Women Series 2025 at Borneo Cricket Ground here today.
Among the facilities to be upgraded is the Borneo Cricket Ground, which will undergo improvements to lighting, drainage and related infrastructure. The main stadium will also see massive upgrading works to accommodate the opening ceremony.
The shooting range at Petra Jaya, which was refurbished for the Malaysia Games (Sukma) last year, will be expanded with the acquisition of four to five acres of adjoining land to add a skid and track facility. Once completed, Abdul Karim said, it could become the most advanced shooting range in Malaysia.
Other facilities set for upgrading include the aquatic centre—mainly for electronic scoreboards and the newly completed Wushu Hall.
“Apart from that, the 42-lane bowling centre—Megalanes Sarawak in Batu Kawa, is already the best in Malaysia,” he added.
On the potential long-term use of the facilities, Abdul Karim revealed that Sarawak has extended invitations to neighbouring countries such as Brunei and Indonesia to send their athletes for training here.
“We have good facilities. If in the event you want to use our facilities for your future training, and if you don’t have them in your own country, you can liaise with Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) to send your athletes here. At least our facilities will always be used,” he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Cricket Association president Mahinda Vallipuram, who was present, said the upgrades to the cricket ground will also pave the way for international fixtures.
“Before the SEA Games and after the development of the infrastructure like lighting, we will have bilateral, tri-series, co-training and various events to support preparations, including training for Malaysian teams in Sarawak,” he added. – DayakDaily
