Latest news with #BorneoGames
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Six Teams to Compete at Borneo Games 2025 in Kuching
SIX contingents are set to participate in the Borneo Games 2025, which will be held from Sept 24 to 28 at the Petra Jaya Sports Complex here. Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the contingents involved are Brunei, Sarawak, Sabah, Labuan, and Indonesia's East and West Kalimantan provinces. He said eight sports will be contested during the event – badminton, lawn bowls, athletics, archery, swimming, tug of war, blowpipe, and golf. 'As of now, 124 gold medals are expected to be contested. However, the number may increase following requests to add more gold medal events in the blowpipe competition,' he told a press conference here today. An estimated 5,000 participants are expected to attend, including athletes, coaches, team managers, referees, technical officials, secretariat staff, media, volunteers, and representatives from relevant agencies. The Borneo Games was first held in 1995, with the most recent edition taking place in 2013 in Labuan.
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Six contingents to compete in Borneo Games 2025 in Sarawak
SIX contingents are set to participate in the Borneo Games 2025, which will be held from Sept 24 to 28 at the Petra Jaya Sports Complex here. Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the contingents involved are Brunei, Sarawak, Sabah, Labuan, and Indonesia's East and West Kalimantan provinces. He said eight sports will be contested during the event – badminton, lawn bowls, athletics, archery, swimming, tug of war, blowpipe, and golf. 'As of now, 124 gold medals are expected to be contested. However, the number may increase following requests to add more gold medal events in the blowpipe competition,' he told a press conference here today. An estimated 5,000 participants are expected to attend, including athletes, coaches, team managers, referees, technical officials, secretariat staff, media, volunteers, and representatives from relevant agencies. The Borneo Games was first held in 1995, with the most recent edition taking place in 2013 in Labuan.
The Star
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Revived Borneo Games set for Sept 24-28
KUCHING: The revived Borneo Games will take place here in September with participation from six states, territories and provinces. Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the Games aimed to strengthen relations between neighbouring states on Borneo, besides promoting sports and tourism. "Through sports, arts and culture, we can develop closer ties to one another," he told a press conference after chairing a coordination meeting on the Games here on Friday (July 4). Karim said athletes from Sarawak, Sabah, Labuan, Brunei, East Kalimantan and West Kalimantan will take part in eight sports during the Games from Sept 24 to 28. These include badminton, lawn bowls, athletics, archery and swimming, as well as the traditional events of blowpipe shooting and tug-of-war. ALSO READ: Sarawak aims to host revived Borneo Games in second half of 2025, says state minister ( "There will also be a VIP golf event which is non-competitive, with no medals to be awarded," he added. A total of 124 gold medals will be up for grabs, although Karim said this might be increased following a proposal for two more to be added to blowpipe shooting. He said the Games were open to all athletes from the participating states and provinces, except Olympians. Registration for participation will open in the middle of this month and close on Aug 29. Karim said there were also plans to invite entrepreneurs to set up stalls during the Games. "There will be a Borneo Kitchen and an arts and crafts exhibition involving the various participating states and provinces. "This will be an opportunity for entrepreneurs to sell their products and network with one another," he said. The Borneo Games were first held in 1955 and last took place in Labuan in 2013. Last year, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg proposed bringing back the Games. Karim also said there were plans for the Games to be held every two years after this. He said it could be extended to other states outside Borneo by invitation in the future. "Three states from Peninsular Malaysia have indicated their interest in participating. "We can even extend it to Australia's Northern Territory because Sarawak has participated in the Arafura Games there," he added.
The Star
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Brunei, Sarawak artists unite in cultural exchange
KUCHING: Artists from Brunei and Sarawak gathered for a cultural exchange, focussing on building stronger ties through visual art, poetry and creative workshops as part of the 'Neighbours in Heart, Friendship in Art' initiative, which concluded at the Borneo Cultures Museum, Sarawak on Thursday (June 29). Bruneian artist Wahab Hassan engaged 20 participants in a hands-on exploration of visual techniques through his painting workshop. The participants learned the concept of development, colour strategies and the use of palette knives for texture and fine detail, offering a valuable space for skills-sharing and artistic mentorship. Meanwhile, Bruneian poets Malek Metarsat and Adi Zain, and Sarawak's Angelina Bong, brought the emotional textures of Borneo's stories to life through a poetry session, reinforcing how language, like visual art, can transcend borders and deepen cultural empathy. The programme saw a public art talk, 'Lines of Growth: An Artist's Evolution', where panellists from both Brunei and Sarawak explored the personal and collective journeys of artistic practice. The talk featured Sebastian Jong, Angelina Bong, and Fook Liew from Sarawak, alongside Datuk Haini Hashim, Awang Sitai and Nicky Lapira, moderated by Osveanne Osman from Brunei. Sarawak's Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, and Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who officiated the programme launch, described the exchange as 'a cultural bridge that allows us to know our neighbours better', reflecting on Brunei's strong monthly visitor numbers and the potential for extending ties to Kalimantan Barat. The minister also emphasised the growing importance of integrating art and culture into tourism strategies, naming ongoing efforts such as the Borneo Games and artist-led initiatives as instrumental in shaping regional narratives. President of the Sarawak Artists Society Sebastian Jong noted that the event has been an enriching platform that fosters mutual appreciation and opens doors for deeper artistic exchange. Vice President of Brunei Art Forum Osman Muhammad shared similar sentiments, noting that the cultural exchange exceeded expectations, not only in turnout but in the substance of dialogue and the relationships formed between artistic communities. Bruneian artist Datuk Haini Hashim reflected on the broader meaning of the event. 'This was not just an exhibition – it was a reminder of how art connects people. It's through exchanges like this that we keep our traditions alive, adapt them and pass them on with renewed purpose,' he said. Sarawak-based artist Angelina Bong, on the other hand, added that to come together over shared passions, stories and visions has been truly powerful and she left feeling inspired and more connected. Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Sarawak Datuk Sebastian Ting and Consul General of Brunei in Sarawak Sheikh Datuk Mahadanni were also present. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Borneo Games set for return in September with Sarawak as host
KUCHING: The revived Borneo Games is set to return from Sept 24 to 28 this year, with Sarawak playing host. Sarawak Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the games were last held in 2013 in Labuan. He said Brunei, East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, Sabah, Labuan and Sarawak will participate in the games. "The games feature over 1,000 athletes and officials in mainstream sports such as athletics, swimming, lawn bowls, archery and badminton, alongside traditional events like menyumpit (blowpipe) and tug-of-war," he said. Karim said this when winding up his ministry's speech at the Sarawak legislative assembly here. He said the games will celebrate Borneo's diverse heritage while fostering deeper connections among its people. He said the first games was hosted by the Seria Recreation Club, Brunei, in 1954. Karim said the games were revived at the suggestion of Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, whose vision was to unite the Bornean people through shared values. He said Abang Johari wanted to foster peace and prosperity, enhance cross-border relationships and empower youth to lead with cultural pride and confidence. Karim said his ministry, together with the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC), will ensure the games serve as a vibrant platform for both athletic excellence and cultural celebration. He said Sarawak has initiated the formation of the Borneo Games Supreme Council which will comprise sports ministers and relevant agencies from participating nations, states and provinces, togovern future editions. He said his ministry has extended official invitations to the participating regions and provinces, sports associations and implementation bodies, to attend a meeting to form the council. Karim also said the federal government has formally agreed for Sarawak to host the opening ceremony of the Sea Games 2027 in Kuching. He said that this was the first time in Sea Games history that Sarawak will serve as a direct host region, an honour that offers an opportunity to showcase Sarawak's cultural vibrancy, hospitality and logistical capabilities to a global audience. He said his ministry is planning a strategic benchmarking visit to Thailand, the host of the Sea Games in 2025, to observe and study the live operations of a major sporting event. "The knowledge gained will help us refine our strategies for 2027," he said.
