Sarawak sets June 2027 deadline for completion of SEA Games facilities

KUCHING (Feb 12): All sports venues in Sarawak for the 2027 SEA Games must be completed by June next year to allow sufficient time for testing and trial runs, said State Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He said the state government does not want facilities to be ready at the last minute, which is why it is targeting completion three months ahead of the event.

“That is why we are setting the target. Not two or one month before the SEA Games must it be completed. If I am not mistaken, it must be completed by June (2027). So, we have three months to test and see what is required.

“Of course, performances for the opening ceremony can also use the venue before the actual event. Trial runs will take place during that period,” he told reporters after witnessing the handing over of documents and site for the upgrading and repair works of Stadium Sarawak here.

Malaysia will host the 34th edition of the SEA Games from Sept 18-29, 2027, across four clusters — Sarawak, Penang, Johor, and Kuala Lumpur — marking the first time the Games are decentralised from the federal capital.

Sarawak has been named the main co-host and will stage 17 of the 38 sports contested.

Abdul Karim said that besides Stadium Sarawak, upgrading works are being carried out at several other facilities designated for the Games.

These include the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre for swimming and diving, the archery range, the cricket ground, the shooting range, the petanque venue in Santubong, the lawn bowls facility near Stadium Perpaduan, the tennis courts adjacent to the Kuching Civic Centre, the Wushu Centre, and Stadium Perpaduan, which will host gymnastics events.

He said the shooting range will see the addition of skeet and trap facilities for clay shooting, involving land acquisition of about five to 10 hectares.

“Once completed, the shooting range in Sarawak will become the top shooting range in Malaysia,” he said.

Abdul Karim added that the upgrading and organising committees are chaired by Deputy State Secretary (Operation) Dato Hii Chang Kee, with involvement from various government agencies including the Public Works Department (JKR), relevant ministries, and the Sarawak Sports Corporation.

He expressed confidence that Sarawak would meet all technical and international requirements ahead of the Games.

Also present during the event were Sarawak JKR director Dr Cassidy Morris, State Ministry for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (Mysed) permanent secretary Dzulkornain Masron and other officials.