KUCHING: All 11 sports facility upgrading projects for the 34th SEA Games in September 2027 are progressing smoothly, with eight running ahead of schedule and expected to be completed in the first and second quarters of next year.

Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said upgrade works of the Sarawak Stadium, which will serve as the venue for the opening ceremony, is expected to be completed by January 2027.

“All 11 upgrading projects for the SEA Games are progressing smoothly, with eight projects ahead of schedule and expected to be completed in the first and second quarters of 2027,” he said.

He said this when delivering his ministerial winding-up speech at the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting here on Tuesday.

For the record, Sarawak will co-host the 34th SEA Games scheduled to take place from September 18 to 29, 2027, with the state hosting 18 out of the 43 contested sports.

Meanwhile, he informed that his ministry alongside strategic partners, including the Betong Division Development Agency (BDDA), Rajang Delta Development Agency (RADDA), Sri Aman Development Agency (SADA), and Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA), plans to build sports complexes state-wide under the ‘One District, One Sports Complex’ initiative.

“Upon completion, approximately 89 percent of districts in Sarawak will have at least one sports complex under the 'One District, One Sports Complex' initiative,” he added. — UKASnews

Translator: Ryan Lim