Sarawak govt faces rising cost of staging SEA Games

KUCHING (Feb 24): The cost of hosting and upgrading facilities for the 2027 SEA Games, the region’s premier sporting event to be staged partially in Sarawak, has risen from initial estimates, said Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister said this was due to the pressing need to enhance existing sports infrastructure as well as land acquisition requirements for certain events.

According to him, the RM350 million allocated by the Sarawak government only covers organisational expenses and does not include additional costs for upgrading sports facilities.

He explained that the Sarawak Stadium, an icon and the heartbeat of the state’s sporting scene, requires comprehensive refurbishment as the facility was built 30 years ago in conjunction with the FIFA World Youth Championship.

“The cost of upgrading facilities, including Sarawak Stadium, squash courts, tennis courts, petanque venues, and nearly all other facilities must be taken into account.

“The original budget was set at RM200 million but, following a detailed assessment by consultants, there has been an increase in costs,” he said in a Sarawak Public Communications Unit report.

He was met after a walkabout at the Tambirat Hawker Centre in Asajaya last Saturday.

The Asajaya assemblyman said among the main factors contributing to the higher cost is the construction of a new shooting range for the skeet and trap events, which requires fresh land acquisition, with estimated expenditure reaching RM12 million.

Abdul Karim confirmed that the matter has been presented to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and will be tabled at the state Cabinet meeting at the end of this month for approval, in accordance with established procedures.

On accommodation capacity in Kuching, he noted that SEA Games hosting standards require athletes to be housed in three- to five-star hotels, unlike the Malaysia Games (Sukma) where university residential colleges are typically used to accommodate contingents.

“We conducted studies before submitting our bid to co-host the SEA Games. God willing, new hotels will be completed before the (Games), including one in Gala City with about 200 rooms, as well as two additional hotels.

“Overall, accommodation for athletes, officials and supporters will be sufficient,” he said.