Rugby gets an extra boost
Kota Kinabalu: The public is urged to come and watch the inaugural Sabah Governor’s Cup Invitational Rugby 15s which will be held at the Likas Stadium from Aug 23-25.
The three-day competition will feature four teams with Eagle Rugby Club of Sandakan representing the State against Sarawak, Brunei and Labuan.
At a press conference held on Tuesday, Sabah Rugby Union Deputy President Dr K.H.Tan who is also the Malaysian Rugby Union Vice President thanked the Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin for giving his consent to organise the tournament under his name.
He said despite the heavy schedule in their annual calendar, the State body are of the opinion that having another major tournament in the State will give the game an extra boost and the main purpose is to bring together the best teams in the country as well as those from the region in an annual event that will showcase the progress of the respective teams.
“We are starting with a modest scale this year with only four teams but the players from each team are the cream of the country or state and they will have many expatriates who are professionals as well as guest players from other top rugby nations.”
“I can assure that every future edition of this tournament will be progressively better in terms of participation and standard. In fact, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines were interested to participate but had to withdraw as the date clashes with their prior commitments and they have ensured us that they will be present next year.”
He added that the tournament will also provide the perfect platform for the State players to prove that they are at least at par if not better than the region’s bests.
“There is also a golden opportunity for the hundreds of school children currently involved in the Sabah Academy for Rugby Excellence to witness the region’s top ruggers live in action.”
“The exposure should further whet their appetite for the game and encourage them to train harder.”
Tan also expressed his thanks to the support given by the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry as well as the contribution and co-operation from other government agencies and statutory bodies and the sponsors.
Present at the press conference were Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Masiung Baniah, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Pang Nyuk Ming, Youth and Sports Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary Penyuki Matta and representative from the State Education Department Zainal Madi.
Meanwhile, the opening ceremony will be officiated by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan at 6pm on Friday while Juhar is scheduled to attend the closing ceremony on Sunday at 5pm before the final.
Source: Daily Express
