KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Youth and Sports Ministry has launched an initiative to enhance state athletes' physical and mental readiness for national and international championships.
This restructuring initiative aims to identify athletes with medal-winning potential and support them with overseas training opportunities in pursuit of gold, particularly in the Olympics, the state assembly was told.
“The programme will be carried out through memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with internationally recognised institutions known for producing elite athletes,” Minister Datuk Ellron Angin said in his winding-up speech on Tuesday (Nov 19).
The initiative will also involve sports development officers and coaches, he added.
He also said the ministry plans to establish a dedicated training centre for Sabah’s athletes.
Angin said a proposal for the centre has been finalised and is set to be presented at the state Cabinet's weekly meeting for approval.
“If approved, the centre will be built in phases on a 48.5ha (120-acre) site in Kampung Biah, Keningau.
"We believe (it) will lead to the development of more athletes, positioning Sabah as a sports hub that attracts enthusiasts nationally and internationally, strengthening the sports sector,” he said.
He noted that Sabah’s athletes, including those with special needs, have performed admirably, with Beluran-born Eddy Bernard notably winning a bronze medal in the men’s 100m event for Malaysia at the 2024 Paralympic Games.
“Our focus will be on developing athletes so they can continue to contribute significantly to Sabah and Malaysia,” he said.
In a related initiative, the ministry will hold the 11th edition of the Sabah Games (Saga 2025) in Tawau to identify potential athletes for the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma).
“A new strategy has been set with a clear focus on winning gold medals,” Angin said.
Meanwhile, Sabah has withdrawn from its bid to co-host the 2027 SEA Games with Sarawak and Penang, citing financial limitations as the primary reason.
“We were given the opportunity to co-host the SEA Games, and while there was significant support, there was even more opposition,” he said in reply to Datuk Jaujan Sandukon (Warisan-Sulabayan).
Despite the setback, he said Sabah plans to reconsider this opportunity next year if financial conditions improve and broader support is secured.
