Borneo Games 2025 officially concludes

BT
Sep 29
2 min read

KUCHING, 29 September 2025: The 2025 Borneo Games officially draws to a close yesterday evening with a grand Closing Ceremony over at the Penview Convention Centre Demak, which was graced by the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, other distinguished guests, sports officials, heads of contingents as well as athletes.

Yesterday’s event celebrates the prestigious nature of the event, looking beyond the medals to celebrate friendship and foster close cooperation between states and nearby countries in the Bornean region, in line with Sarawak’s mission towards becoming a sports powerhouse.

“The success of Borneo Games 2025 is an important benchmark in our preparations towards co-hosting the 2027 Southeast Asia (SEA) Games. At the moment, the Sarawak government as well as the federal government are actively planning to upgrade our infrastructures and facilities, so that when the time comes, we will be ready to host thousands of athletes and visitors from all over Southeast Asia,” shared Abdul Karim in his opening speech.

“The Borneo Games is an important vehicle for our future athletes. With it, they will not only be able to foster close kinship with other Borneans athletes but also elevate their standard and skill levels, so that one day, more of them will be able to stand tall on an international stage, like at the Commonwealth Games or the Olympics,” added the Premier of Sarawak. In his speech, he also shared new facilities that will be built in Kuching, including an all-new velodrome and motor track.

Yesterday’s event also saw the awarding of Borneo Games’ Best Male and Female Athletes, which was both won by Sarawak’s Swimming athletes. Hii Puong Wei emerged as the top medallist of the Games, collecting an impressive total of 8 medals (7 gold, 1 silver), thus earning him the trophy for Best Male Athlete. The trophy for Best Female Athlete went to fellow Sarawakian swimmer Chereen Ngo Yirui, who won a total of 10 medals (5 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze), making her the most decorated athlete of the Games.

Also in attendance at yesterday’s prestigious event, the Minister of Arts, Youth and Sports Brunei Darussalam, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi Mohamad, the Minister for Youth and Sports Sabah, Datuk Ellron Alfred Angin who represented the Chief Minister of Sabah, Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Sarawak, Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah, Deputy State Secretary, Datu Hii Chang Kee, Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak, Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu and Deputy Head of Contingent for East Kalimantan, Bapak Insinyur Haji Husinsyah MT.