Successful end to Borneo Open, National Invitational Petanque Doubles Championship
KOTA KINABALU: The Borneo Open and National Invitational Petanque Double Championship concluded with much success at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sabah branch near here on Sunday.
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Frankie Poon said the tournament has managed to attract 152 teams from around Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia, which was the biggest number of entries yet for the event.
“I believe with such huge response, it would enable us to identity and produce talented Petanque athletes.
“Apart from that, it is also an opportunity for the participants, coaches, managers and tournament organiser to bridge their friendship.
“I would like to congratulate the organiser, the UiTM Sabah Sports Unit in collaboration with Sabah Petanque Association, as well as all those involved in making the tournament a success,” he said.
Poon said this during his speech at the closing ceremony of the three-day championship.
Also present were UiTM Sabah rector, Assoc. Prof. Datuk Dr Haji Abdul Kadir Haji Rosline, deputy rector (academic) Assoc. Prof. Jasman Hj Jaafar, deputy rector (student affairs) Haji Sheikh Junaidi Sheikh Mohammad, Sports Unit chief Adzwa Kamri, Shah Alam UiTM Sport Centre deputy Hj Mohd Fisol Hj Saud, director Sabah Sports Council assistant director Valerie Wong and Sabah Petanque Association president Hj Noorzain Hj Tawi.
Meanwhile, the Men’s category champions of the tournament were Eirwan B. Junidi and Mohd Safirul Abd Halim who bagged RM3,000 for their efforts.
In the Women’s category, the winners were Sharifah Aqilah Farahana and Nurashimah Senin to purse RM1,500.
Safirul and Nurashimah were also picked as the Championships Best Men and Women athletes respectively.