KUCHING: Kuching continues to cement its standing as a regional hub for extreme sports with the staging of the DBKU International X-Games 2026, set to take place at the Kuching Waterfront from 8 to 12 April.

The prestigious event, organised by the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), is held in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak (MYSED) and Canard Group, alongside the Canroll Pro Urban Sports Festival.

Carrying the theme ‘Unleash the Action’, this edition runs a larger and higher-impact scale following the success of previous events.

MYSED Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said interest in extreme sports is showing a significant global increase including in Sarawak, particularly sports such as BMX, skateboarding and rollerblading.

“This trend is clearly gaining momentum. This edition will not only feature land-based events, but will also expand into water sports such as jet ski racing, further enhancing the festival’s appeal,” he said at a press conference here on Tuesday.

According to him, over 200 extreme sports athletes from Malaysia and abroad are expected to participate, positioning Kuching as a focal point for high-intensity action characterised by boldness, creativity and technical skill.

Participating countries are expected to include France, South Africa, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

The competition will feature Junior (Under 15) and Open categories, with events such as aggressive rollerblading, BMX flatland, BMX stunt, skateboarding, water sports (jet ski), street basketball, as well as pickleball which has been introduced to broaden participation.

At the same time, Dato Sri Abdul Karim stressed that the event serves as an important platform for local athletes to showcase their talent on the international stage, while facilitating the exchange of experience with participants from abroad.

“This programme not only provides a competitive platform for athletes, but also serves as a strategic avenue to promote Sarawak as a premier extreme sports destination, while empowering youth to remain active, healthy and competitive,” he said.

Beyond the competitions, members of the public, particularly the youths, will also have the opportunity to take part in skateboarding and rollerblading workshops aimed at introducing basic skills and safety aspects of the sports.

He added that DBKU remains optimistic that the event will invigorate the sporting culture, encourage a healthier lifestyle, and reinforce Kuching’s image as a progressive and youth-friendly city on the international stage. -UKASnews