Kuching: As co-host of the 2027 SEA Games, Sarawak plans a benchmarking visit to Thailand – the host of the 2025 SEA Games – to study the live operations of the major sporting event. 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.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the knowledge gained will help refine strategies for 2027, aiming to inspire future athletes and position Kuching as a central hub for international sports in Southeast Asia. The 33rd edition of the Southeast Asian Games is scheduled to be held in Thailand from December 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 mentioned that 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, fulfilling requirements for hosting international tournaments and enhancing their appeal to today’s youth.

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. These include 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.