The SEA Games is coming to Sarawak in 2027 with the opening ceremony of the biggest sporting event in South East Asia held in Kuching.
The confirmation Kuching will host the opening ceremony was reported by New Sarawak Tribune which quoted Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah as giving the confirmation.
First stadium outside Klang Valley
Although not confirmed, it is likely that the Sarawak Stadium would be the venue for the massive spectacle in which will make it the first stadium outside of the Klang Valley to host the Malaysian organized SEA Games.
Previously, Malaysia hosted the games three times with the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 15th Southeast Asian Peninsular Games (later known as Southeast Asian (SEA) Games) hosted in Stadium Merdeka, and the 21st and 29th edition hosted in Stadium Bukit Jalil.
The 40,000 seater Sarawak Stadium in Kuching had already been upgraded for the recently concluded SUKMA, but will likely be further enhanced for the 34th SEA Games Opening Ceremony in 2027.
Its biggest international event to date is the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship, with SUKMA being held in the stadium twice. Aside from sporting events, the Stadium is also home to the niggest music festival in Borneo, the Borneo Sonic Music Festival.
Possible events in Sarawak
According to the article by New Sarawak Tribune as well, Sarawak was also requested to identify events it can play host for the 2027 SEA Games.
DayakDaily reported that Sarawak would prefer hosting diving, swimming and tenpin bowling, citing it had recently upgraded its facilities to be the best in the country, with its shooting range also a prime example.
Events may be moved to other divisions in Sarawak, but no concrete decisions had been finalized so far.
Sarawak also stated that it will require further discussions with Kuala Lumpur regarding events it will host and is open to co-hosting events with other regions and states which would share the hosting of the SEA Games this time.
Sarawak invited to co-host SEA GAmes
Regardless, it must be noted that Sarawak had been invited to co-host the SEA Games by the Federal Government.
This was noted in an article by Borneo Post which quoted Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg as saying that Putrajaya made the offer to Sarawak first.
Sarawak in turn agreed to the suggestion by pledging RM350 million for the games, with condition that it must host the opening and several events for the 2027 SEA Games.
Malaysia Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, at the end of SUKMA Sarawak 2024 closing, confirmed Sarawak will co-host the SEA Games 2027, paving the way for Sarawak (as well as Kuching) to use the games as a platform to further introduce itself to the world in both sports and as a tourist destination.
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