KUCHING: The organisation of the Sarawak Sports (SUKSAR) 2026, which is entering its fourth edition, has come up with various new initiatives, particularly in terms of competition management and athlete performance development, thus strengthening its role as a strategic platform to produce Sarawak athletes to the national and international levels.

Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu said, SUKSAR 2026 features major improvements through the implementation of an integrated games management system that includes athlete registration, logistics, competition scheduling and performance data, thus enabling the organisers and the ministry to plan more specific and effective training programmes in line with the state's sports development needs.

“We are developing an integrated system that includes athlete registration, requirements and logistics, thus enabling the organisers and the ministry to have data to plan more specific training.

“This approach also helps in more organised volunteer planning, competition schedules and results management, as well as being supported by a high-performance team that focuses on the welfare, physical and mental performance and recovery of athletes,” he said.

He said this in the Juh Randau talk show produced by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS), held at the UKAS Studio here on Monday.

In addition, Datuk Gerald said that SUKSAR 2026 also places emphasis on the welfare and safety aspects of athletes through the involvement of a high-performance team that monitors the physical, mental and injury recovery process throughout the tournament, especially involving athletes under 18 years of age.

At the same time, the organisation of this tournament also opens up opportunities for the local community to be involved as volunteers and support service providers, thus providing exposure and experience in organising state-scale sports to the local community.

Held from 5 to 8 February, this biennial games will involve 11 types of sports with the participation of almost 900 athletes and over 300 technical officers from all over the state, involving the main locations in Betong, Sri Aman and Lubok Antu.

The sports events to be contested at the four locations include table tennis, softball, boxing, petanque, basketball, weightlifting, highway cycling, netball, taekwando, sepak takraw and karate.

Datuk Gerald also stressed that SUKSAR not only functions as a competition arena, but also serves as a foundation for the structured development of Sarawak athletes in preparation for the SUKMA Games and larger tournaments in the future.

The opening ceremony of SUKSAR 2026 is scheduled to take place on 4 February 2026 at the Tan Sri Datuk Kalang Amar Stephen Kalong Ningkan Sports Hall, Betong and will be officiated by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

Meanwhile, the closing ceremony on 8 February 2026 at the Indoor Stadium, Sri Aman Sports Complex will be officiated by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg.

It is expected It will have a positive impact on the development of grassroots sports, youth involvement and boost local economic activities through the small business sector, accommodation, transportation and support services in the areas involved, he explained. -UKASnews

Reporter: Mia Amira
Photographer: Hazrin Sunaini
Translator: Nerissa Sia