SEA Games 2027 Preparations Enter Intensive Phase
KUCHING, Feb 13 (Bernama) -- Preparations for the 2027 SEA Games, which will be hosted by Malaysia with Sarawak palying a big part, have now entered a more intensive phase.
Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Mordi Bimol said both the state and federal governments have shown strong commitment, particularly in terms of infrastructure and facility preparations, to ensure the region’s biggest sporting event runs smoothly and with prestige.
“The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) will give full support to Sarawak and will assist in whatever is needed at the federal level.
“As a Sarawakian at the federal level, I will personally ensure continuous cooperation and assistance are provided to ensure the success of preparations for the SEA Games to be co-hosted in Sarawak,” he said at a press conference after paying a courtesy call on Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah here today.
Also present was Malaysia SEA Games Organising Committee (MASOC) 2027 chief executive officer Datuk Rashid Yaakob.
Mordi said several international-level sporting events will also be organised as test events ahead of the Games as part of early preparations for hosting the multi-sport event.
Meanwhile, elaborating on the test events, Rashid said organising such events is standard practice for any country or state hosting a major championship.
“It is common practice to organise several events aimed at assessing facilities, venues and operational aspects to see how everything will run,” he said, adding that of the 38 sports to be contested, only eight to 10 will be selected as test events.
However, he said the selection of sports for the test events has yet to be finalised as it is still at an early stage and many facilities are undergoing upgrades.
Meanwhile, Abdul Karim said the state government’s commitment to host the Games was not merely verbal but was formalised through an official guarantee document similar to a ‘deed of guarantee’ that had to be signed as proof of financial commitment.
“I personally brought the letter to Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for confirmation and eventually signed the document on behalf of the state government. It is a guarantee that Sarawak is committed to RM350 million,” he said.
He added that the document was later brought to the federal Cabinet as proof of Sarawak’s official commitment to hosting the Games.
He said the federal and Sarawak government will each bear RM350 million in hosting costs, bringing the total cost of organising the SEA Games to RM700 million.
“That step reflects the joint commitment of both parties to ensure the sporting event can be organised smoothly and meet the required standards,” he said, adding that as head of the organising effort, he hopes this will be the best SEA Games ever held in Malaysia.
The 2027 SEA Games are scheduled to take place from Sept 18 to 29, 2027, with Sarawak acting as one of the main clusters and host of the opening ceremony at Stadium Sarawak. Other events will be held in additional clusters in Penang, Johor and Kuala Lumpur.
-- BERNAMA
