Sabah KBS needs to scout for more junior athletes - Hajiji
KOTA KINABALU, June 16 (Bernama) -- Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has urged the Sabah Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) to unearth more new sports talents to ensure the state does not face a shortage of young athletes in the future.
He said it could be done by holding various sports programmes or competitions throughout the state.
As for the state government, he said it was committed to developing the field of sports and in the Sabah Budget this year, RM52.02 million was allocated for sports development, including the provision of infrastructure and facilities.
According to him, the sports development programme is not only targeted to produce healthy and fit people, but also towards creating a name for the state at international level in the field by producing more junior athletes in Sabah.
"Many of our young athletes have competed internationally and have brought honours to the country. These include national sailor Rufina Tan, national golfer Ben Leong and the two latest national swimmers Janetty John Fabian and Loo Yie Bing.
“We also have athletes who won gold medals at the recent SEA Games in Hanoi like Andre Anura Anuar in the triple jump event, Jellson Jabilin in aquatic diving, Fatin Nur Fatehah Mat Salleh archery and Natahsya Soon cycling," he said here today.
He said this when speaking at the Sabah Athletes Achievement celebration in conjunction the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi at Menara Kinabalu which was also attended by Sabah Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Angin.
At the ceremony, Hajiji presented mock cheques of the incentives amounting to RM71,450 to 23 medal winners, including in the team event at the Games.
-- BERNAMA
