Sarawak plans trip to study Thailand's SEA Games operations ahead of 2027 hosting, says state minister
Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the visit was important to ensure a world-class delivery when the state hosts the biennial multi-sport Games in 2027.
'The knowledge gained will help us refine our strategies for 2027. Ultimately, the SEA Games will not only inspire future athletes but will also position Kuching as a central hub for international sports in Southeast Asia, marking Sarawak's bold stride onto the global stage,' he said in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly here today.
The 33rd edition of the Southeast Asian Games is scheduled to be held in Thailand from Dec 9-20.
On March 28, Abdul Karim reportedly said that Sarawak expects to host 18 events during the 2027 SEA Games, including bowling, swimming, diving, cricket, taekwondo, archery and shooting.
Abdul Karim said his ministry is overseeing 87 sports facilities statewide, with 25 new projects being developed under initiatives such as the Projek Rakyat and the Development Agency Projects and Programmes (DAPP).
'These facilities are being upgraded and modernised to meet national and international standards, fulfil requirements for hosting international tournaments, enhance competitiveness and increase their appeal to today's youth,' he said.
He added that in a bid to strengthen Sarawak's competitive edge, the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) is refining its development strategy by focusing on 14 high-potential sports with strong medal prospects.
They are golf, taekwondo, bowling, aquatics (swimming and diving), boxing, muay Thai, athletics, archery, silat, squash, volleyball, artistic gymnastics, wushu and lawn bowls.
'This targeted approach reflects a strategic restructuring of the state's sports development programmes, aimed at raising these key disciplines to new levels of excellence and performance,' he added. — Bernama
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Aaron-Wooi Yik stunned by compatriots in Japan Open opener
World No 2 pair Aaron Chia-Soh-Wooi Yik were hoping to add another title to their names this season having won three earlier this year. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : World No 2 men's pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have been sent packing from the Japan Open in Tokyo after a shock loss to compatriots Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi in straight games. The senior Malaysian duo, who appeared lethargic, lost 15-21, 15-21 in just 30 minutes at the World Tour Super 750 series played at the Metropolitan Gymnasium in Tokyo. Yew Sin-Ee Yi will play US pair Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith who defeated Japan's Kenya Mitsuhashi-Hiroki Okamura in three games. Aaron-Wooi Yik had been hoping to add another title to their names this season having won three times earlier this year. Women's doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M Thinaah strolled into the second round of the tournament, showing they are serious contenders for the title. The world No 3 pair took just 31 minutes to defeat Bulgaria's 16th-ranked Gabriela Stoeva-Stefani Stoeva in straight games, 21-16, 21-14, in their opening round match. It was the Malaysian duo's third win against the Bulgarian sisters in four encounters so far. In tomorrow's last 16 match, Pearly-Thinaah will meet Taiwan's Hsieh Pei Shan-Hung En Tzu in their quest for a second title this year. In May, they clinched the Thailand Open title after managing to enter three finals this season. In another all-Malaysian opener, world No 7 pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun were made to sweat by the much lower ranked Junaidi Arif-Yap Roy King before winning 30-28, 21-12. The tie took 42 minutes, with the game-point in the first game changing hands several times. Wei Chong-Kai Wun are expected to face a tough encounter in the next round as they take on China's Huang Di-Liu Yang, who had upset higher-ranked Thai champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Kittinupong Kedren in straight games earlier.
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
‘I want the yellow jersey back': Pogacar gears up for Tour's second-week showdown
TOULOUSE, July 16 — The second week of the Tour de France may be short, but it will be crucial, defending champion Tadej Pogacar said on Tuesday's rest day when he went to the barber, had a burger and enjoyed a French cafe, but was raring to get back on the bike. Here AFP breaks down the Slovenian's views on the challenges of the week ahead. Five-day week Pogacar has been unusually serious during the opening week of the Tour which he described on Tuesday as 'explosive, nervous, stressful and super-hard'. He has also complained about the heat, tiredness and how annoyed he can get by the stonewall tactics from Jonas Vingegaard's Visma team. 'Week two will be really fast,' he predicted. But he was not talking about the speed of the wheels, rather that it will be over more quickly due to being a day shorter after the 10-day slog before the first rest day. Hopes Healy feels tired Pogacar said it was refreshing to see some new faces like current leader Ben Healy and emerging French star Kevin Vauquelin, and suggested their arrival had muddied the waters. 'The field is packed, it's going to be a huge fight even for the podium and especially for the yellow jersey,' the 26-year-old said. 'It's not just the big teams, everyone has proved they can stay up front,' he added, explaining the race is harder to control than it usually is. He also forecast the overall lead would change hands. 'Not tomorrow on the flat, but at the Hautacam,' he said of the Pyrenean giant mountain on Wednesday. 'We'll see if Ben (Healy) can hold on. I hope he feels tired. I want the yellow jersey back.' Pinpoints danger While Pogacar paraded to triumph against a weakened Vingegaard in 2024, his thoughts Tuesday seemed to drift back to 2023 when he was routed on a time-trial followed by a mountain slog. 'I'm really looking forward to this week, especially the uphill time-trial to Peyragudes.' Stage 13 is just 11km long, and he lit up when he spoke of it. 'I'm looking forward to the Hautacam but especially to the time-trial at Peyragudes,' said the man who is eyeing a fourth Tour triumph with a wistful look. Good for me Pogacar said the second week was usually a medium mountain affair with lots of breakaways as the Tour built towards a finale in week three, but not this year. 'We are going to see some big gaps in the upcoming days and I think it's going to be good for me. It's almost as hard as the final week.' Up to rivals to attack When Pogacar, Tour winner in 2020, 2021 and last year, was asked about his rivals he named no names. Instead he cast his net wider. 'In the coming days I'm under no pressure to attack, it's up to them if they want to get ahead of me,' he said. Pogacar stands second after stage 10, 29sec adrift of Healy. Remco Evenepoel, who says 'everyone knows that this is where the Tour starts', is third, a minute behind the Slovenian. Two-time champion Vingegaard is 1min 17sec behind the Slovenian in fourth. — AFP
Free Malaysia Today
10 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
3 M'sian mixed doubles pairs advance to 2nd round of Japan Open
World No 4 pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei started the day by easily defeating their Canadian opponents in straight games, 21-15, 21-19. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Three Malaysian mixed doubles pairs won their openers to progress to the second round of the Japan Open in Tokyo this morning. World No 4 pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei started the day by easily defeating Canada's Kevin Lee-Josephine Wu in straight games, 21-15, 21-19. This was followed by world No 6 pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Jemie Lai defeating Thai pair Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat-Ruttanapak Oupthong 21-15, 21-10. Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin completed the fine morning for Malaysia by seeing off Presley Smith-Jennie Gai from the US, 21-19, 12-21, 21-16. However, Malaysia's fourth mixed doubles pair, Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien, were knocked out by home pair Yuichi Shimogami-Sayaka Hobara in straight games, 21-9, 21-8.
