Chief Minister receives courtesy call from Sabah State Sports Awards Committee

26 January 2026

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor received a courtesy call from the Sabah State Sports Awards Main Committee at his office at Menara Kinabalu here on Monday.

The visit was led by the State Minister of Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy, Datuk Nizam Datuk Seri Panglima Abu Bakar Titingan, who also presented an official invitation and briefed the Chief Minister on the organisation of the Sabah State Sports Awards Ceremony 2026.

The prestigious biennial ceremony is scheduled to take place on 6 February at the Magellan Sutera Harbour Resort, Kota Kinabalu.

According to Nizam, a total of 16 award categories will be presented at the ceremony to recognise the excellence of Sabah athletes who have brought honour to the state at national and international levels, including the Sabah State Sports Personality Award.

Meanwhile, Hajiji conveyed his congratulations and appreciation to Sabah athletes who represented the Malaysian contingent and successfully contributed a total of 10 gold, 15 silver and 15 bronze medals at the 13th ASEAN Para Games (APG), held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, from 21 to 26 January 2026.

He said the achievement demonstrated the capability of Sabah athletes to compete on the international stage and serve as an inspiration to the younger generation in sports.

At the Games, Sabah athletes won five gold, seven silver and three bronze medals in athletics; five gold, eight silver and nine bronze medals in swimming; one bronze medal in powerlifting; two bronze medals in table tennis; and one silver and one bronze medal respectively in lawn bowls (demonstration sport).

Two athletes from Tuaran, Abdul Halim Mohammad and Ivan Jovic Suan, also drew attention after contributing five and three gold medals respectively through swimming and athletics events. Sabah para-athletics athlete Wong Kar Gee captured the men’s T12 long jump gold medal, setting a new APG record with a leap of 6.83 metres.

Also present during the visit were Assistant Minister of Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy, Datuk Seri Dr Anil Sandhu; the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Datuk Mansur Asun; Chairman of the Sabah Sports Board, Syed Ahmad Syed Abas; Director of the State Sports Council, Mohd Asneh Mohd Noor; and General Manager of the Sabah Sports Board, Terrance Edward Pudin.