Blowpipe shooting dropped from Borneo Games 2025 over low participation

By Nancy Nais

KUCHING, Sept 17: The blowpipe shooting category has been officially withdrawn from the upcoming Borneo Games 2025, set to take place in Kuching from Sept 24 to 28.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the event, one of only two traditional sports included in the Games, had to be dropped after receiving poor response from competing teams.

“Blowpipe shooting did not receive encouraging participation, so it had to be withdrawn. All other events will continue as scheduled,” he told reporters today after visiting the Kuching Marathon 2025 race pack collection centre at Plaza Merdeka.

The Borneo Games, returning after a 13-year hiatus, are expected to attract about 1,000 athletes from Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei Darussalam, the Federal Territory of Labuan and East Kalimantan province.

The 2025 edition will showcase both core and traditional sports to highlight Borneo’s sporting culture and unity. The five core sports are athletics, swimming, archery, badminton and lawn bowling, while tug of war remains the sole traditional sport following the withdrawal of blowpipe shooting.

Abdul Karim noted that the revival of the Games was initiated by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who wanted the event to serve not only as a platform for competition but also as a means to strengthen ties among Borneo’s states, provinces and countries.

“This is not just about winning medals, but about reinforcing unity across the island,” he said.

As host of this year’s Games, Abdul Karim revealed that two states from Peninsular Malaysia had expressed interest in joining.

However, invitations were not extended as organisers wanted the event to remain an inaugural gathering for Bornean participants following its long absence.

“Future editions may consider expanding participation to Peninsular Malaysian states, southern Philippines, or even Australia’s Northern Territory, depending on the host’s decision,” he added.

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