CM officially launches SAGA
The Sabah Games (SAGA) was officially launched in a gli ering ceremony, graced by Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, at the Sports Complex here last night.
SANDAKAN: The Sabah Games (SAGA) was officially launched in a glittering ceremony, graced by Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, at the Sports Complex here last night.
During his opening speech, Musa said the SAGA Games was one of government’s efforts in boosting sports in Sabah as it was a platform to choose and build potential sportsmen and sportswomen in the state.
“SAGA is organised under one of the government’s efforts to ensure Sabah will not run out of high potential athletes representing their respective sports.
“I believe that with SAGA, we will be able to spot talents and create high potential athletes to be brought to the next level,” Musa said.
He also said that SAGA was in line with State and National Sports Objective towards creating a sportscultured community and for state level sports to excel at the national and international level.
Musa added that the state government was also committed to making sports better in Sabah and it was proven with the construction of sports infrastructure and facilities through the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
He disclosed that the state government gave annual grants to sports associations to assist them in organising and participating in sports competitions, while athletes and sports bodies with excellent achievements were also rewarded with incentives and recognition.
“In 2016, Sabah participated in three major championships with proud results. I hope that during the 19th SUKMA in Perak, our athletes’ achievements will continue to improve.
“I believe that with high confidence, discipline and integrity, athletes from Sabah will be able to achieve success at the national and international level and become aspirations to other athletes to become more successful,” he said.
Musa also expressed hopes that the SAGA Games this time would enhance the spirit of unity, togetherness and sports amongst the rakyat.
“We in Sabah respect one another even though we are of different races, religions and cultures. That is also how we want athletes staying in Sandakan to get to know one another and build friendships amongst each other,” he said.
Musa ended his speech by approving Datuk Masiung Banah’s request to build a new grandstand with roof for the Sandakan Sports Complex.
Also present were Sandakan Municipal Council President Datuk Ir James Wong, Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Masiung Banah, Forestry Department Director Datuk Sam Mannan, and Secretary of the State Government Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman.
Earlier, the ceremony saw a dance performance and a marching band from Yu Yuan Secondary School Sandakan which led a parade of 26 competing contingents which was each led by their respective district officers and mayor (Kota Kinabalu).
The ceremony was officially launched by Musa via gunshot.