Sarawak aims to revive Borneo Games to harness power of sports for regional unity

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By Karen Bong and Chris Bishop

KUCHING, Aug 21: Sarawak has announced its intention to revive the Borneo Games to unite countries within in the region comprising Malaysia including Sarawak and Sabah, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia.

Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, in revealing this, admitted that he had toyed with the idea with Malaysia Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh.

“I will bring up this idea with our counterparts and friends, as I am confident that sports provide an excellent platform to train and prepare our athletes for the international stage,” he said during the 21st Malaysian Games (Sukma) Sarawak 2024 dinner, celebrating unity through sportsmanship, held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here tonight.

Crown Prince of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Al-Haj attended the ceremony.

As Sarawak prepares to co-host the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2027, Abang Johari emphasised that Sarawak will take the lead to discuss with neighbouring countries, particularly Brunei and Indonesia, on organising the Borneo Games.

“There was Borneo Games in the past, and we want to revive it. Sarawak will strive to be the sponsor for the first Borneo Games,” he said, emphasising that sports is the most unifying tool for peace by bringing people together across boundaries and cultures.

The event also featured the presentation of appreciation plaques to all 15 participating contingents, including Brunei Darussalam, in Sukma 2024.

Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah were among those present. — DayakDaily

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