KUCHING: Sarawak has taken another step forward in its preparations to host the 2027 SEA Games, following the convening of the first meeting of the SEA Games 2027 Organising Committee (Meeting No. 1/2025) on Friday.

The session was chaired by the Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

During the meeting, the Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Operation), Datu Hii Chang Kee, explained that the session aimed to formally establish the Main Committee and 22 Working Committees under Sarawak’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the upcoming games.

The formation of these committees involves the participation of various Federal and Sarawak Government agencies, along with the appointment of liaison officers to ensure more effective communication and coordination among all parties involved.

Discussions also covered phase-based planning for operational tasks, which includes defining the roles of the organising committee secretariat, accommodation committee, and sports and technical committee, as well as the establishment of secretariats at every committee level to ensure that preparations proceed smoothly and in an organised manner.

The SEA Games 2027 will be co-hosted by Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Penang, featuring 37 sports in this biennial regional event.

Previously, the Sarawak Government approved an allocation of RM350 million to ensure that preparations meet international standards and run efficiently.

Also present at the meeting were Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (Youth and Sports Development), Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (Entrepreneur Development), Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datu Sherrina Hussaini, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak, Morshidi Fredrick, Director of the Protocol, Ceremony and Event Management Unit, Datu Hamdan Sharbini, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Sarawak Sports Corporation and Director of the Sarawak State Sports Council, Khairul Nizam Morshidi, along with members of the 2027 SEA Games Working Committee comprising representatives from Federal and Sarawak agencies. -UKASnews