KUCHING: Around 1,000 athletes are expected to take part in the Borneo Games Kuching 2025, which will be held at the Sarawak Sports Complex from 24 to 28 September.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC), Khairul Nizam Morshidi, said the athletes will represent five contingents – Sarawak, Sabah, the Federal Territory of Labuan, Brunei Darussalam, and East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia.

“As of 7 September 2025, a total of 357 athletes have registered for the various events lined up for the Games,” he said during UKAS’s 'Juh Randau' talk show at the Sarawak Stadium in Petra Jaya on Tuesday.

He added that the Games will feature not only core sports such as athletics, swimming, and badminton, but also traditional sports like blowpipe shooting ('sumpit') and tug of war, reflecting the spirit of unity and Bornean heritage.

On venue preparations, Khairul, who is also Acting Director of the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS), said final technical and logistical adjustments were underway, with many venues already upgraded during last year’s Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Sarawak.

“This includes the athletics events at Sarawak Stadium, swimming at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre, badminton at Stadium Perpaduan, archery at the Sarawak Archery Arena, and lawn bowls at Sarawak Lawn Bowls Arena.

“The traditional events of blowpipe shooting and tug of war will take place at Field D, Petra Jaya Sports Complex, while the invitational VIP Golf event will be held at Sarawak Golf Club, Petra Jaya,” he explained.

He added that competition schedules are being carefully coordinated by the Sports Managers and Technical Delegates using the Games Management System (GMS), which allows for automated scheduling, real-time monitoring, and flexible tracking of any changes.

This ensures no event overlaps and venues are used optimally.

Khairul also revealed that blowpipe shooting may be opened to the public due to limited participation from competing contingents.

Meanwhile, about 1,500 officials and volunteers are expected to be involved in hosting the Games.

“In terms of general volunteers, around 150 will assist with event management, medal ceremonies, and venue operations.

“There will also be technical volunteers, bringing the total number of officials to approximately 1,500,” he said.

To further enhance the festive spirit, he said the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MYSED) will be organising the Borneo Carnival, which will bring together entrepreneurs from Sarawak, other participating states, and countries to showcase products and Bornean culture.

On behalf of SSC, he urged the people of Sarawak, especially Kuching residents, to come in full force to the Sarawak Sports Complex in Petra Jaya and cheer for the athletes when the Games kick off on 24 September.

The closing ceremony on 28 September is expected to be officiated by Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg.

The Borneo Games Kuching 2025 will feature swimming from 25 to 28 September at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre, archery from 25 to 28 September at the Sarawak Archery Arena, athletics from 25 to 27 September at Sarawak Stadium, tug of war on 27 and 28 September at Petra Jaya Sports Complex, and blowpipe shooting on 27 September at the same venue.

Badminton will take place from 24 to 28 September at Stadium Perpaduan, lawn bowls from 25 to 27 September at the Sarawak Lawn Bowls Arena, and the VIP Golf event on 27 and 28 September at Sarawak Golf Club. -UKASnews