Dr Joachim (second right) receiving the official Jersey of the Borneo Sevens rugby tournament from the organising chairman cum Sabah Rugby Union and Eagles Rugby Club president Velayuthan Tan.
KOTA KINABALU: A total of RM97.5mil has been allocated for youth and sports development in Sabah this year, said Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The Chief Minister said the funds, channeled to the Sabah Youth and Sports Ministry, will cover work such as upgrading sports facilities and the provision of sports science studies.
He said this reflected the state government's commitment to sports development in Sabah.
"As the Chief Minister of Sabah, I want to see the state producing more great athletes and sportsmen who will bring sports glory to our state and country.
"Many have excelled and did Sabah and the county proud in the national and international sporting arenas," he said at the media launch of the Borneo Sevens 2023 Rugby Tournament at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here on Thursday (Feb 23).
Hajiji’s speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister II cum state Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
Similarly, the Chief Minister said focus should also be given to sports such as rugby so that young talent can be discovered and groomed.
"Sabah, as we all know is already one of the ‘power-houses’ of rugby in Malaysia and I am very proud that the Sabah men’s rugby team has excelled and gone on to win the prestigious Agong’s Cup five times so far.
“This augurs well for rugby in the state and I wish to see our rugby team soar to greater heights," he said.
Hajiji said he was feeling positive with the development of the game in the state with the Sabah Rugby Union and Eagles Rugby Club among the pioneers in implementing the latest techniques and modules in sports development.
"I am happy to learn that the Sabah Rugby fraternity has set a standard in sports development that many should emulate," he said.
The Chief Minister was confident that Sabah rugby officials have the capability to effectively organise the Borneo Sevens rugby tournament which is an Asia Rugby-sanctioned event.
"With the presence of renowned foreign teams and the best Malaysian teams in action, sports enthusiasts, especially rugby fans will be treated to rugby excellence this coming March.
"I am confident that the Borneo Sevens will continue to grow in prestige to become a core event in the tournament calendar for all rugby teams in the region," Hajiji said.
