18Jul

5th Sabah team tennis tournament kicks off

Kota Kinabalu: The fifth series of the team invitational tournament here started Saturday on a high note with only one upset in the opening qualifying round. Mutiara Tennis Tawau upset fifth seed 1 Tennis Tawau by beating them 4-1 in the morning. The other results went as expected. The winner section comprises Lakeview Wilson, Singapore Advantage Tennis, DLP Dunlop PJ, KK Frenz and Mutiara Tennia Tawau. The loser section comprises 1 Tennis Tawau, ILP Sandakan, IPG Lestari Tawau, Sandakan Golf & Country Club and Likas Wolves. In the play to determine rankings for the champion, Lakeview Wilson KL defeated Singapore Advantage Tennis 4-1, while DLP Dunlop PJ defeated Mutiara Tawau 4-1. In the losers' section, ILP Sandakan was defeated by Likas Wolves KK narrowly by 3-2 and Sandakan Golf Club beat IPG Lestari Tawau 5-0. Likas Wolves were 2-0 down but determination to salvage pride made them fight back in the last three matches to clinch a narrow 3-2 win. Play will continue today. Last night all players, officials and team members were feted with dinner and a Sabah cultural performance at the Sutera Harbour Marina Resort Hotel. The event was sponsored by Tourism Ministry, courtesy of Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun. Wilson Sporting Amer Sports sponsored the lucky draw prizes comprising all sorts of tennis apparels and rackets. All the team managers and extinguished guests were called on stage to draw the winners. Bernard Chin of Wilson Amer Sports congratulated Sabah Tennis as the most well organised team event and the most cheerful and exciting event to participate with the good dinner, beverage and friendly atmosphere. Brian Werner of Sutera Harbour Resort is happy to come back as one of the main sponsors of this prestigious tennis event, which is a boost to sports tourism in Sabah. With so many tennis players from young and seniors, tennis in Sabah must progress. Thanking all sponsors for helping out in the special tennis event, Johnson Koh paid tribute to Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of the Prime Minister, for agreeing to the challenge trophy be named after her. Apart from that, he also thanked Youth and Sport Minister Datuk Peter Pang and Masidi for the assistance and sponsorship in this prestigious tennis event. Source : Daily Express
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18Jul

Hoping to learn from each other

Kota Kinabalu: State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said Sabah's unity and harmony is unique. Opening the 3rd Folk Art Exhibition in conjunction with the 7th Sabah International Folklore Festival at Ming Garden's Golden Dew Bistro, Monday, he said Sabahans are well-known for their ability to adapt with other cultures. And that despite the various cultural backgrounds, races and beliefs, we have managed to maintain our good relations with each other, he said. "Some even live in the same house," he added. This year's Folk Art Exhibition's theme is "Understanding Aspects of Australian Aboriginal Culture. "We hope that we will be able to learn from each other," added Masidi. Throughout this one week exhibition from July 9 until July 17, people will be able to witness the basket weaving skills of three Aboriginal artists from the Koorie Heritage Trust, Melbourne Australia by the names of Treahna Hamm, Bronwyn Razem and Patricia Harrison. Dainsing Darum (Murut Tanggala), Mainah Tuumuh (Murut Tahol) and Rembini Suanti (Dusun) are the three indigenous Sabahan weavers who are taking part. Among activities at the art exhibition involve workshops, demonstrations and a dialogue which will involve secondary and university students as well as the public. There is also an exhibition of Folk Art paintings by local Sabahan artists. Masidi also received a "clapstick" from Nicolas Boseley, Curator of Koorie Heritage Trust, Melbourne, Australia. According to one of the artists Treahna Hamm, during the old days when there were no books, music and dance were among the ways of getting information/education. "The clapstick is from Northern Australia and is an important part of the story-telling as it is the vehicle which assists in dance and music." Also present were General Manager of Sabah Cultural Board Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai, Manager and Curator of Sabah Art Gallery Jennifer P. Linggi, Chairman of Sabah Cultural Board Datuk Seri Wences Angang. Source : Daily Express
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10Jul

7K Charity Run draws 13,000

Kota Kinabalu: Some 13,000 people turned up to support the 12th Sutera Harbour 7K Sunset Charity Run 2012 held at the Sutera Harbour Marina and Country Club, here, Saturday. The run, which first started in 2000, aims to bring the community of Kota Kinabalu together in the spirit of giving while promoting a healthier lifestyle. Beginning and ending at the Covered Tennis Court of Sutera Harbour Marina and Country Club, it started off with a warm-up session at 5pm conducted by Zumba Fitness Sabah. Later, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Masidi Manjun, flagged off the run where thousands of participants of all ages were eager to finish the run within the 77-minute time limit to be eligible for the lucky draw which offered attractive prizes. A second flag-off was held for special children from the run's beneficiaries, Sabah Thalassaemia Society and Special Olympics Sabah, who were accompanied by guest-of-honour Masidi, Sutera Harbour Chief Executive Officer Frank Liepmann, members of Bakisa and other invited guests. The second run flagging-off was conducted by Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir. Those who chose not to participate in the run could also enjoy themselves at the carnival with a wide variety of food and beverage stalls which offered a selection of mouth-watering local and international delicacies as well as special offering from the sponsors. The crowd was entertained by DJ Myra and DJ Velvet of SuriaFM and treated to special live performances by local artistes such as Rozza Rothman, Ester Clement Tubong, Clarice John Matta, Lydia Kalidin, Calrice Sipanul, Marcel Gatisi, Ryna Tongkooh, Syra Gom, S.Welly, Rey Nizam, Ridah, Nera AF9, Orkes Akiuku, Appy Tots and Aliff Aziz. Nett profits from the run through registration, coupon sales and sponsorships/donations from the public will be channelled to the two organisations. Source : Daily Express
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10Jul

Poles the early birds

Kota Kinabalu: Polish cultural troupe, Poligrodzianie, became the first of 18 groups to arrive, Saturday, for the 7th Sabah International Folklore Festival 2012. "This is our first visit to Sabah as well as Malaysia," troupe leader, Marzenna Biegala-Howorska, told Daily Express. Students of the Folk Dance Ensemble of Poznan University of Technology represents Poland. "We have visited Korea, the Philippines, Hong Kong and had such a nice experience. So we are very interested in the cultures of Asia and we decided to come to find out about your country." On what aspects of Polish folkdance the troupe plans to showcase in Sabah, she said: "Special polish culture, two types of dances, very popular typical national dances and also the region of Polish highlanders because it is the region where Polish culture and costumes are still alive, which they still use in wedding ceremonies, in church and special holidays," Marzenna said. Due to fly in today are Sri Lanka, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Thailand, Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, South Korea, East Timor, Kuwait, Egypt, Papua New Guinea, Kazakhstan, Taiwan, China, Indonesia and Nigeria. Uzbekistan, Mexico and Morroco were originally listed to come but unable to make it, according to Chief Liaison Officer, Joisin Rombut . A series of activities which begin Monday include technical and programme briefing, tourism briefing, city tours, welcome dinner, Folkart exhibition (Sabah Arts Gallery), cultural exchange workshop (SCC), Sabah traditional food fair (Penampang sports complex), KK City Folklore Parade (2pm, 10 July), Folkart workshop, courtesy call on TYT, local folk dance competition (11-12 July), Folkart demonstration Sabah Arts Gallery (13 July), Prime Show (13 July, Magellan Sutera), two nights of folkdance competition 14-15 July at the Sabah Cultural Centre (SCC), Folkart dialogue and farewell dinner on July 16. For further details and tickets contact Joisin Rombut at 6088-259457 or hp 0198218718 or email borneosiff@gmail.com Source : Daily Express
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10Jul

UMS ready for role in BIMP-EAGA – VC

KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) is prepared to play an important role in assisting member countries in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-The Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) grouping in achieving its objectives in numerous ways. Its vice-chancellor, Professor Dr Mohd Harun Abdullah, said the role could be through an exchange of lecturers and students, conducting joint research and development, joint publications, collaborating conferences and seminar, especially in relation to forestry and marine resources. “Other areas where we urgently need to combine our expertise in are tropical biology and conservation, marine science, fisheries, food security, marine resource management, bio-technology, sustainable tourism development and poverty eradication. “UMS has the potential to become an excellent centre of reference for major topics and issues relating to the BIMP-EAGA grouping in the areas of sustainable tourism, bio-diversity, aqua-culture and poverty eradication, which is in line with the university’s core research niches. Harun said that at the BIMP-EAGA conference 2012, themed ‘Enhancing Sustainability, Competitiveness and Innovation’ at the Pacific Sutera Harbour yesterday. The establishment of the BIMP-EAGA unit for Tourism Development (BE-UTD), said Harun, was officiated by former president Fidel Ramos of The Philippines last year. The unit is responsible for promoting inter and intra BIMP-EAGA tourism through research activities, capacity building, facilitating information exchange, promoting tourism investment and developing strategic partnerships between universities, non-Governmental organisations and tourism stakeholders in the BIMP-EAGA region. The recently-appointed vice-chancellor of UMS added, that the BIMP-EAGA’s potential as an economic trade and investment zone has been recognised and is no longer an issue for debate. The sub-region within the ASEAN entity has a ‘domestic’ population of more than 60 million. Harun said, BIMP-EAGA presents itself as a very viable market. “The availability of abundant natural resources gives it huge potential for tourism development, marine and agri-based industries, as well as varied levels of economic development. “There are however numerous issues which need to be addressed in order to achieve its full potential and these include climate change, safety and security, poverty eradication, terrestrial and marine issues and infrastructure development. “To address these challenges, the concepts of innovation and sustainability provides long-term solutions for the BIMP-EAGA region. “Our ability to innovate is an essential component to increase not only the competitiveness of our economies, but also improving our quality life,” he said, adding the goal highlights the strong social and environmental dimension in which innovation incorporates. He expressed belief that it favours the capacity for growth while respecting the need to preserve natural assets and secure social cohesion. According to Harun, sustainable development means meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of the future generation. Sustainable activities, he said, should involve economic, social and environmental issues. In the context of BIMP-EAGA, Harun asserted that resulting priorities would include combating climate change, ensuring sustainable transport, addressing demographic and social inclusion issues and managing responsibly of the natural resources. The conference which was officiated by Tourism, Culture and Environmental Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, saw UMS and the Palawan State University and UMS and the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), signing Letters of Intent towards formalising the relationship between the institutions in a bid to intensify joint researches and publications benefitting the BIMP-EAGA region. The intended formalisation of relationship would stimulate and facilitate the exchange of ideas and findings among academicians and industry leaders to propel towards future collaborative efforts in ensuring sustainable development. Source : Borneo Post
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