Kota Kinabalu: The 14th Sabah Masters Open Athletics Championship (Samoc) attracted 768 Masters athletes from Malaysia and abroad, highlighting Sabah’s growing reputation as a preferred destination for hosting national and international Masters sporting events.
State Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan said the championship served not only as a competitive platform but also promoted a healthy, active and productive lifestyle regardless of age.
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He said sports development should be viewed holistically, encompassing high-performance sports, community sports, recreational activities, youth programmes and Masters sports, as each component played an important role in building a healthy and vibrant society.
“If high-performance sports produce champions who bring glory to the state and country, community and Masters sports help cultivate an active lifestyle among the people. Both are equally important and complement each other in producing a healthy, energetic and productive Sabah society,” he said when officiating at the closing ceremony of the 14th Samoc at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex on Sunday.
The three-day championship featured participants from across Sabah, the Federal Territory of Labuan and Peninsular Malaysia. International athletes from Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia and New Zealand also took part.
Nizam said the participation of athletes from outside Sabah and overseas had generated positive spillover effects for sports tourism, local economic activities and regional friendship.
He added that Sabah had strong potential to emerge as one of the region’s leading sports event destinations due to its natural attractions, improving infrastructure, hospitable people and extensive experience in organising sporting competitions.
During the ceremony, Nizam witnessed the women’s and men’s relay finals before presenting prizes to winners in their respective categories.
He also interacted with team managers, officials and athletes during a networking session held after the closing ceremony, further strengthening ties among Masters sports stakeholders from different countries and regions.
The ministry expressed appreciation to the Sabah Masters Sports Association (Samas) as the organiser, as well as technical officials, volunteers, staff members, sponsors, coaches, supporters and family members for contributing to the success of the championship.
Nizam said the determination, discipline and commitment displayed by Masters athletes throughout the competition should inspire younger generations to embrace active lifestyles and make sports a lifelong culture.
Among those present were Permanent Secretary Datuk Mansur Asun, Sabah Sports Board Chairman Syed Ahmad Syed Abas, Sabah Sports Board Deputy Chairman Muhammad Firdaus Kassim, ministry officials, representatives from Samas, as well as participating athletes and team managers.
