TYT Sarawak Cup & Borneo Cup Muay Thai Championship 2026 Draws International Participation
KUCHING: The TYT Sarawak Cup and Borneo Cup Muay Thai Championship 2026 has further strengthened its standing as a prestigious combat sports platform after attracting the participation of 350 athletes from within Malaysia and abroad.
The 10th edition of the championship features 31 teams from across Malaysia, including Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia, as well as international entries from Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore and Brunei.
Representing Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Datuk Snowdan Lawan said the continued organisation of the championship proves that Sarawak is increasingly recognised on the global stage as a hub for Muay Thai development.
According to him, the encouraging response received last year prompted organiser, the Sarawak State Muay Thai Association (PMNS), to continue the event this year on a larger scale, including increased participation.
“Participation from various countries, particularly within Southeast Asia, shows that this championship is gaining greater traction and indirectly elevates Sarawak’s name internationally,” he said at a press conference at the Kuching Waterfront on Thursday.
He added that the presence of young athletes together with their families and teams also brings economic spillover to the state, particularly for the tourism and services sectors in Kuching.
At the same time, he said the championship is seen as an important platform for discovering new Muay Thai talent, while producing promising athletes capable of competing at higher levels.
The championship, taking place from 16 to 19 April, features various categories including amateur, semi-professional and professional bouts, as well as newly introduced events to further enliven the competition.
The highlight on the final day will see the determination of the overall champions for the TYT Sarawak Cup and Borneo Cup 2026 based on the highest medal tally achieved by competing teams.
The championship is organised by PMNS with the support of various agencies, including relevant ministries, local authorities, as well as state and national sports bodies.
Also present were PMNS President Jumaat Ibrahim as well as representatives from MTCP, Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) and other guests. -UKASnews
