Sabahans do nation proud in Brunei Master
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s athletes have put on another outstanding performance this time at the Brunei Master Open Athletics Championships recently.
Sabah’s athletes, comprising 18 men and 18 women, swept 59 gold, 26 silver and 13 bronze medals at the just concluded championships which took place on August 19 and 20.
According to team manager Maryem Joinol, the Sabah athletes still managed to maintain their A plus performance despite having recently competed at the Malaysia International Open Masters Athletics Championships.
“They dominated in Kuching with 61 gold medals and they very nearly emulated that success by coming up just short of two gold.
“Nevertheless, we are proud since it is the biggest achievement by Sabah in a Brunei Open Championship,” she said, while adding that Sabah athletes competed in 101 events.
The championships in Bandar Seri Begawan saw a total of 250 athletes from 14 teams including internationals like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Taiwan and Brunei local teams.
Maryem said Sabah, with 36 athletes, contributed the most numerous representatives for Malaysia in the championship.
Five outstanding Sabahan achievers clinched four gold medals, namely Juliana Gumpil, Lucy Yong, Stella Johnny, Abdul Rashid Matajam and Alfred Lajawa.
Another seven won three gold medals, namely Cecilia Maksimon, Adenah Lojuhun, Christina Labanjing, Adeline Umbol, Cyril Misong, Julius Komuning and Saidi Kailu.
Veronica Elau, Pirin Berangin, Gilbert Daladin and Hj Tarmizi Sandhu each won two gold medals while Tay Yu Eng, Maryem Joinol, Lanny Jikut, Kimih Monjitol, Norman Leong, Wong Hock Loong, Alister Siani, Justin Matajam and Paul Fung contributed one gold medal each.
Meanwhile, Sabah Masters Athletics Association (SAMAS) president Aliudin Jumaat congratulated all the Sabah participants and team manager for their outstanding performance.
He also announced that 14 Sabah athletes have already registered to represent Malaysia in the coming Asian Masters Athletics Championships (AMAC) in Rugao, China this September 24 to 28.
For the record, Sabah athletes contributed nine gold, 16 silver and 11 bronze medals in the last AMAC in Singapore.
Aliudin is confident that with the continuous support from Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan, his ministry together with the Sabah Sports Council and the Sabah Sports Board, they are capable of winning more medals for the country in this coming masters championships in Asia.