KUCHING, The selection of Sarawak as a co-host for the 2027 SEA Games will introduce the state more widely to the Southeast Asian region. Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state must start preparing now in order to make the Games a success. "Most of the events (of the 2027 SEA Games) will be held in Sarawak because we agreed to cover 50 per cent of the organisational costs. The costs are high but for the development of sports and the youth in Sarawak, we are willing (to allocate the necessary funds). "When we become joint hosts, countries competing in the SEA Games will know where Sarawak is and this will surely elevate our status,' he said in his speech at the ceremony to present incentives to the state's 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) contingent here tonight. A total of RM1,834,000 worth of incentives were given to Sarawak athletes who won medals at last month's SUKMA 2024. On Aug 29, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said three states - Sarawak, Sabah and Penang - had agreed to co-host the 2027 SEA Games with Kuala Lumpur. Hannah said all three states also agreed to bear the estimated RM700 million in organisational costs. Source: BERNAMA News Agency