A FRIENDLY contest between media and communications practitioners from Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia forged bonds of camaraderie during a three-day event in George Town, Penang, earlier this month.
Dubbed the Goodwill Games, the programme ran from July 3-5 and saw around 100 participants – including 45 from Sabah – compete in five sports events: darts, pool, bowling, football and badminton.
Hosted by the National Press Club (NPC) and Penang Press Club (PPC), the second NPC-Sabah Media Goodwill Games ended with the Kota Kinabalu Media and Communications Recreational Club (MedComm KK) conceding defeat, as their opponents clinched three wins out of the five games contested.
The host team retained the Challenge Trophy they first won during the inaugural Games held in Kota Kinabalu four years ago.
The NPC-PPC team secured victories in darts, pool and bowling, while MedComm KK claimed wins in football and badminton.
The NPC delegation was led by its president, Datuk Ahirudin Attan, while the PPC contingent was headed by its president, Ang Tong Kai.
Among those who attended the games were Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying, who turned up for bowling, and Penang Tourism and Creative Economy exco member Wong Hon Wai was there for the darts and pool events.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, MedComm KK chairman Christopher Bernard Maskilone said the games were about more than just sports, describing them as a platform to strengthen ties and foster closer cooperation between media practitioners from Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.
“The games are about building friendships, strengthening professional relationships and promoting closer cooperation between the National Press Club and the Sabah media fraternity,” he said.
Maskilone also expressed appreciation to Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, as well as sponsors and supporters, for making Sabah’s participation possible.
He expressed hope that the goodwill initiative would continue to be held every two years, and looked forward to meeting again at the next Games.
“Let’s make this a strong biennial tradition that brings together media practitioners from across the country,” he said.
Beyond the competition, the Sabah teams enjoyed a range of leisure activities during their stay in Penang, including a visit to Penang Hill, durian tastings and sampling local street food.
The closing ceremony was held at the St Giles Wembley Penang Hotel, where the teams were treated to a luncheon.
The event featured a musical performance by former music critic and news editor RS Murthi and his band, the Bluesoids, while the Sabah media contingent also took to the stage to perform two songs, much to the delight of the crowd.
