Penampang SAGA Athletes receive incentives

23 December 2025

PENAMPANG: Incentives and tokens of appreciation were presented to athletes, coaches, managers and the organising secretariat of the Penampang District Sabah Games (SAGA) 2025 team, who participated in the tournament held in Tawau in October.

Penampang Member of Parliament Datuk Ewon Benedick, officiated the event.

At the tournament, the Penampang SAGA team secured a total of 45 medals.

In today's event, athletes received cash incentives of RM1,000 for each gold medal, RM700 for each silver medal and RM500 for each bronze medal.

The incentives were contributed by leaders within the Penampang parliamentary constituency and channelled through the Penampang Municipal Council.

Ewon, who is also Deputy Chief Minister III and the Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneur and Transport of Sabah, said that the incentives were a mark of appreciation for the athletes’ efforts and achievements, and were hoped to serve as motivation for greater sporting excellence in the future.

“As the Member of Parliament for Penampang, I hope these incentives will continue to spur the athletes, coaches and managers to bring further honour to the name of Penampang in the field of sports,” he said.

He also expressed his appreciation to all leaders who had supported the Penampang SAGA team.

He added that the medal haul would also serve as motivation for other teams participating in future sporting tournaments, including the next edition of SAGA, which is scheduled to be held in Sandakan.

At the same time, Ewon stressed the need to improve sports facilities and infrastructure in Penampang, following feedback received from coaches and managers of several sports, including karate, taekwondo, basketball and badminton, regarding the lack of suitable training facilities.

He said that the absence of safe and functional community halls had made training sessions difficult, particularly for certain sports, and that the matter would therefore be raised at the district-level action committee for further consideration.

“When these sports facilities are improved, I believe Penampang will be better prepared to host SAGA or other sporting tournaments in the future,” he said.