KOTA KINABALU: Plans are underway to expand traditional sports competitions to every district in Sabah in a bid to preserve the state's rich cultural heritage.
Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Fairuz Renddan said the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that traditional games are not forgotten, especially among the younger generation.
“Games such as arm wrestling, slingshot, blowpipe, mopiri (a traditional fire-starting method using a stick and coconut husk), membujak (a heritage game involving spear-throwing at a target), and others are more than just entertainment, they are cultural symbols that must be preserved and passed down,” he said.
He stressed the importance of maintaining cultural identity in the face of modern influences like electronic sports (e-sports), adding that rural communities continue to play a key role in preserving these traditions.
Fairuz made the remarks after officiating the Traditional Sports Competition held in conjunction with the state-level Kaamatan Festival 2025 at SMK Bahang Hall on Saturday (May 24).
This year’s competition saw encouraging participation from local youths, a positive sign that traditional sports are still valued and enjoyed.
Fairuz said the ministry, with support from agencies such as the Sabah Sports Board, PETRONAS, and the Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry (Maffi), plans to bring these competitions to all major zones and districts across Sabah.
He stressed that youth involvement is vital to ensuring the continuity of Sabah’s heritage.
“Without the old, there is no new. If the younger generation forgets or fails to carry on these traditions, our traditional games will fade with time,” he said.
He also encouraged parents to expose their children to traditional sports from an early age, either through participation or by attending local competitions.
