KUCHING: The Sarawak government’s commitment to enhancing sports infrastructure was evident as they hosted the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 at the newly upgraded Borneo Cricket Ground.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg praised the initiative, stressing the state’s investments in world-class facilities designed to nurture athletes capable of competing on the global stage.
“I would like to congratulate the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, especially Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and his team, for successfully attracting international-standard sports to Sarawak and establishing world-class tournaments here,” he said.
The Premier made these remarks during a press conference at the opening ceremony of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, held at the newly built Borneo Cricket Ground in Petra Jaya here today (Jan 18).
“As we know, this area is new, and one of the Sarawak government’s plans is to develop sports venues across the state, allowing us to host international sporting events while setting a benchmark to nurture athletes who can compete globally,” Abang Johari explained.
He pointed out the importance of providing the right infrastructure for athlete development.
“You must have the ground and facilities to train your athletes to an international standard,” he said.
The Sarawak government has invested a significant sum to upgrade facilities, including the Borneo Cricket Ground.
“We allocated over RM6 million for the construction of this building, and the work was done in record time.
“What matters most is that we now have a design that meets international standards,” he said.
Abang Johari noted that the pitch is ready, and the building is equipped to accommodate international media and other essential facilities.
“We are proud to be the venue for this prestigious cricket tournament, and I would like to extend our gratitude to the governing body for selecting Sarawak.
“I am confident they conducted thorough research before choosing us, as Sarawak’s location in the tropics is an ideal fit,” he added..
Abang Johari then highlighted that cricket is hugely popular in countries like Australia, India, Pakistan, and the UK, noting that the potential audience is vast.
“Our time zone is perfectly aligned for viewers from these regions to follow the sport through the media.
“What is important now is that we continue to equip ourselves, not just for cricket, but for all sports moving forward,” Abang Johari said.
The first match of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, featuring Samoa against Nigeria, was initially scheduled to start at 10.30am this morning.
However, due to cloudy weather, the match is now expected to begin later in the day.
