More development for traditional games?
KOTA KINABALU: The proposal to develop traditional games so that it can reach new heights seems to be going down quite well among those who were involved in its promotion.
One of the individuals who was key in the introduction of the traditional games, Roger Frederick, said he fully supported the suggestion by Infrastructure Minister Datuk Peter Anthony to further popularise the traditional games by seeking efforts to develop it like all other mainstream sports.
Peter said the traditional games, which were mainly played only during the annual Harvest Festival celebrations on May 30-31, had the potential to be developed to national level standards.
“It is a very good suggestion because the traditional games in Sabah have the potential to become a tourist attraction. As it stands, there are already two traditional games that are being contested at national and international levels.
“As we can see, arm wrestling and tug-of-war have international competitions, so it is appropriate that other traditional games be given attention for development because, here in Sabah, we have many talents for those games,” Roger said.
During the opening ceremony of the traditional games at KDCA Penampang on May 30, Peter said it was time that it be given a new narrative, not only in the state but also in Malaysia.
“If Sarawak can host the World Rainforest Music Festival and make it a prestigious event and global interest, I believe we can do it for traditional sports in Sabah,” said Peter, who is also chairman of the Sabah State Level Kaamatan Festival 2018 Main Committee.
Roger, who was also the coordinator for the strongman challenge, said he was grateful that his event was introduced for the first time in conjunction with the Sabah State Level Harvest Festival this year.
The Strongman Challenge featured four disciplines, namely Buffalo Pull, Tire Flip, Atlas Stone and Log Press, which were related to some of the traditional sports played by Sabah communities in the past.
The strongman challenge not only became the highlight at the traditional games, it also attracted participants from Brunei.
Randie James emerged as the winner after collecting a maximum of 48 points. The Papar lad won all four events, while Francis Abi from Keningau was second with 41. Goldie James (Papar) was third with 40 points.
The fourth and fifth places went to Brunei contenders Sazwan Ali (36.5 points) and Jufri Tiong (22 points).
“The listing of the strongman challenge was actually made at the last minute and the participation of Muslim athletes was limited because of the Ramadan month.
“But whatever it is, I would like to thank the organisers for giving us the chance to feature the strongman challenge. We will make it bigger and better next year and maybe introduce a women’s category too,” Roger said, while thanking Deevin Development Sdn Bhd managing director Chee Chi Vun, who was the main sponsor of the event.