All in place for SAGA qualifiers Aug 13 - 18
It is ‘allsystems-go', said the Youth and Sports Ministry on preparations for the Sabah Games (SAGA) qualifiers which start later this month.
Assistant Minister Arunarnsin Taib said the qualifiers were slated for August 13-18 and that everything is on point in terms of preparation and technical aspects.
“Sabah Sports Council is handling all the technical aspects and we are happy to announce our readiness, not just for the qualifiers (two weeks from now) but for the actual Games too which will be held in Keningau this December.
“I believe Keningau are also ready and fully prepared for the biannual games, which they will host for the second time (after the 2011 edition) alongside nearby interior districts, Tambunan, Tenom and Nabawan.
Arunarnsin told the media this when attending the football friendly match in conjunction with the KBSS-RTM Friendly Sports Games at the Likas Stadium, on Thursday.
Earlier, Arunarnsin, who is also Gum-Gum Assemblyman from Tawau had taken part in badminton, volleyball and net ball during the Friendly Games.
Arunarnsin said the SAGA qualifiers would involve 27 districts whereby the best eight would go on to compete at the Games in Keningau.
“The qualifiers will be held at six zones, namely West Coast South, West Coast North, Sandakan, Tawau, Upper Interior and Lower Interior.
“Among the sports to be contested at the qualifiers are netball, basketball (men), football, volleyball, hockey and sepaktakraw which will have regu, doubles and team events,” he said.
However, a total of 19 sporting disciplines will be contested at the Games proper, namely badminton, cycling, lawn bowls, golf, karate, archery, Muay Thai, athletics, pencak silat, tennis, table tennis, rugby and boxing, in addition to netball, basketball, football, volleyball, hockey and sepaktakraw.
“According to records from Sabah Sports Council, the overall participation for this year's edition of SAGA are 8,996 athletes (27 districts), and 7,077 athletes for the post-qualifiers main event,” Arunarnsin said.