Stronger state support needed to sustain Sarawak’s petanque development, says SBSA president

SRI AMAN (Feb 7): Despite strong grassroots participation and growing competitive success, the development of petanque in Sarawak continues to be constrained by limited funding and the lack of permanent facilities, said Sarawak Boules Sports Association (SBSA) president Dato Wan Abdillah Edruce Wan Abdul Rahman.

He said stronger and more consistent support from the state government is crucial if the sport is to sustain its momentum and expand statewide, particularly in divisions that still rely on temporary or shared playing venues.

Wan Abdillah was speaking to reporters while witnessing the 2026 Sarawak Games (Suksar) petanque competition at the Sri Aman Petanque Arena, which he said had been running smoothly despite challenging weather conditions earlier in the week.

“So far, the games have gone well. On the first day of the games, we were a bit worried because of the bad weather in the afternoon, but we managed to complete the matches. Alhamdulillah, everything went smoothly,” he said.

He also praised the Sri Aman venue, describing its facilities as adequate and well-maintained despite having been in use for many years.

“The facilities here are good. Even in areas without permanent lighting, arrangements are in place. If it rains, we can continue in the evening. We have only added a few improvements, but overall, it is very good,” he said.

However, Wan Abdillah noted that not all divisions in Sarawak have permanent petanque courts, which remains a major obstacle to long-term development.

“Permanent courts are available in places like Kuching, Bintulu, Miri, Limbang, Lawas and Saratok. In other areas, we often use temporary fields or shared venues,” he said.

He said grassroots interest in the sport remains high, with competitions held almost every weekend across Sarawak involving between 150 and 200 teams, but financial constraints continue to hamper development programmes.

“The interest is very high, but sometimes we face budget problems. Development requires consistent funding,” he said.

Wan Abdillah also highlighted that the Sri Aman petanque arena is currently located on government land and is not owned by the association.

“At the moment, this place does not belong to us. It is still government land. We hope it can be gazetted as a proper stadium with at least 10 courts, like in other places,” he said.

He added that having a permanent home would enable Sarawak to host more tournaments and expand its development programmes, while also contributing to domestic tourism.

“When players come, they stay for a few days. It benefits both sports and tourism,” he said.

Stressing the need for stronger backing as the sport continues to grow, Wan Abdillah said petanque has yet to receive recognition commensurate with its expanding base.

“What is needed now is more support, not less. The movement is getting bigger, but it is still not fully recognised. Petanque is growing like tennis and golf, with strong grassroots participation,” he said.

He also expressed optimism following the appointment of a new coach from Thailand, who is expected to strengthen statewide development efforts after Suksar.

“With his presence, we hope to have more structured training and better-skilled players. Many are enthusiastic, but they still lack basic techniques. This can be improved through proper coaching,” he said.

On preparations for the upcoming Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Selangor, Wan Abdillah said 40 players — 20 men and 20 women — have been shortlisted from the current tournament for further evaluation.

“They will be sent to Santubong for final selection on the 10th and 11th of this month. By the 13th, we must submit our long list,” he said.

He added that Sarawak is determined to defend its strong record after winning five gold and three silver medals in petanque at Sukma 2024.

“For the first time, Sarawak won five gold medals in petanque. We are defending champions, so preparation is very important,” he said.

Wan Abdillah also revealed that facilities in Santubong will be upgraded in preparation for international competitions, including the upcoming C-Games.

“The budget has been approved, and upgrading works will start soon. This will help us prepare better for future tournaments,” he said.

The Suksar IV 2026 petanque event, held from Feb 5 to 8 at the Sri Aman Sports Complex, is one of 11 sports contested and serves as a key platform for talent identification ahead of Sukma 2026.