Kuala lumpur: East Kalimantan has been selected as the host for the Borneo Games 2027, as announced by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He noted that following the successful edition of the Games held this year in Sarawak, the state government will continue contributing to the development of sports in Borneo and promoting regional cooperation to enhance the quality of athletes.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Abang Johari expressed his wishes for the athletes’ safe travels and encouraged them to continue training for the upcoming competition in East Kalimantan. He also extended gratitude to Governor Rudy Mas’ud for agreeing to host the next edition. Abang Johari mentioned the potential establishment of Sarawak’s own airline, AirBorneo, by 2027, which would facilitate direct flights to Samarinda, the capital of East Kalimantan, and hinted at possible collaborations with Royal Brunei Airlines to enhance connectivity across Borneo.
The Sarawak Premier highlighted that the organisation of the 2
025 Borneo Games, which brought together athletes from Sarawak, Sabah, the Federal Territory of Labuan, Brunei Darussalam, and East Kalimantan, showcased the enduring spirit of friendship and understanding among Borneo’s regions. The Games, which began in 1954 in Brunei Darussalam as a platform to unite athletes from Sarawak, Sabah, and Brunei, experienced interruptions but have continued to serve as a symbol of regional unity.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah announced that the decision for East Kalimantan to host the 2027 Borneo Games was reached unanimously during a recent meeting. He noted the readiness of East Kalimantan’s Governor to host the event and highlighted the distinctive nature of the Borneo Games, which allows athletes of all ages to compete, unlike the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) which is limited to under-21 athletes.
Abdul Karim expressed confidence that the 2027 edition would be more dynamic with broader participati
on from the five contingents of Sarawak, Sabah, Labuan, Brunei, and East Kalimantan.