Borneo Games 2025 returns to Sarawak

Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (centre) goes into detail about the upcoming Borneo Games 2025 at a press conference in Petra Jaya, Kuching this morning.

KUCHING, 4 July 2025 – After more than a decade, the Borneo Games will be making a comeback. Sarawak will proudly host the 2025 iteration of the Borneo Games from Sept 24 to 28 at the Petra Jaya Sports Complex in Kuching, utilising the venue’s complete set of facilities that have been upgraded for the hosting of SUKMA XXI last year.

Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah announced this at a press conference in Petra Jaya here this morning.

The 2025 edition of Borneo Games is a much-awaited comeback, with the last Games held in 2013 in Labuan. Now, with fresh energy, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MYSED) is breathing new life into the tournament.

“The Borneo Games 2025 is not just a competition – it’s a platform to strengthen cross-regional collaboration, protect the legacy of our traditional sports, and foster meaningful friendships across Borneo,” said Karim in commenting on the upcoming Games.

Reigniting the games was a vision expressed by the Premier of Sarawak during the SUKMA XXI Gala Dinner, aligning with the region’s broader mission to “strengthen sports development, foster regional ties, and create meaningful competition for post-SUKMA athletes.”

Six contingents will come together for the games, namely from Brunei Darussalam, Sabah, Federal Territory of Labuan, East Kalimantan and West Kalimantan in Indonesia, and of course not forgetting Sarawak. Some 5,000 participants are expected at the Games, including athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and media personnel.

The Games will feature eight sports, including five core disciplines, namely badminton, lawn bowls, athletics, archery, and swimming, alongside two traditional sports, namely tug of war and blowpipe, as well as a VIP sport of golf.

In total, 124 gold medals will be up for grabs, with the final count depending on how many events get enough sign-ups (at least four participants each) by Aug 29. The games will be open to all age groups, though Olympians are not eligible.

Meanwhile, the official closing ceremony for the Borneo Games 2025 is set for Sept 28, and the Premier of Sarawak is expected to officiate the event.