Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor received a courtesy call from the Sabah State Sports Awards Steering Committee at his office in Menara Kinabalu here Monday.
The delegation was led by Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, who presented the official invitation and briefed the Chief Minister on the Sabah State Sports Awards 2026.
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The prestigious biennial event is scheduled to take place on Feb 6 at Magellan Sutera Resort, Kota Kinabalu.
Nizam said 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 extended his congratulations and appreciation to Sabah athletes who represented the Malaysian contingent and 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 Jan 21 to 26.
He said the achievement demonstrated the ability of Sabah athletes to compete on the international stage and served as an inspiration to the younger generation in sports.
At the Games, Sabah athletes secured five gold, seven silver and three bronze medals in athletics; five gold, eight silver and nine bronze medals in swimming; one bronze in powerlifting; two bronze medals in table tennis; and one silver and one bronze each 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 won gold in the men’s T12 long jump, setting a new APG record with a leap of 6.83 metres.
Also present at the courtesy call were Assistant Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Anil Sandhu; the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Mansur Haji Asun; Sabah Sports Board Chairman Syed Ahmad Syed Abas; State Sports Council Director Mohd Asneh Mohd Noor; and Sabah Sports Board General Manager Terrance Edward Pudin.
