Sukma winners get reimbursement
Published on: Thursday, October 20, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: The recent tennis gold medal winners of the Sukma games in Kuching received reimbursement as promised by the Sabah Sports Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan. The team that went to Kuching with no target on medals after appealing to the Minister for inclusion were only given meals and allowance in Kuching.However before departing to Kuching at the flag hand- over ceremony by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, the sports minister whispered to the team manager that if the team gets any medal the minister will reimburse expenses and monthly allowance when training on their own.ADVERTISEMENT The team comprised: Team Manager Johnson Koh who is Sabah Tennis Association President, Coach Tito Latoja, Assistant Coach Shamsuddin Mustamin and Chaperon Claire Godon.Players for the boys team are Christian Didier Chin, Stefan Walter Alex Sundang , Mohd Arif Irfan Abdullah , Brandon Ballay@ Billy and Chieng Shoa Wei.Girls team are namely Nurshaneem Imann Shamsuddin , Cheryl Ye Ai Chuan , Caren Chang, Clarissa Sofia and Azlien Natasya Muhd Said. Sabah manage only up to the quarter final stage, however in the individuals event Sabah Tennis sprang one surprise by winning the bronze in the boy's singles. ADVERTISEMENT On the final day Sabah Tennis sprang the biggest surprise by winning the gold medal in the mixed doubles event when Christian and Nurshaneem upset all the seeded pairs.Going as almost no hoppers to others outside Sabah Tennis, the team kept silent but with team determination and greatest cooperation the team kept fighting and encouraging each other.
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Johnson Koh kept the team in the tightest loop at every match."All this while the Sabah sports minister in his heart and mind knew that something can happen as he could see some sparks in several of the team players especially Christian and Nurshaneem. "That is why he whispered to the team manager the incentive and encouragement carrot before the team's departure," said Koh. Sabah's Chief-De–Mission Datuk Masiung Banah who is Assistant Sports Minister, stayed back and witnessed the final match for the historic moments when Sabah won her first ever gold medal in tennis.The players who turned up for the ceremony on Tuesday night received their bonuses for the excellent effort. According to players who represented Sabah in previous Sukma games, this is the best team ever in terms of team spirit, cooperation, determination, discipline and respect for each other.Koh agreed that all the players, officials and liaison officers had all worked together as one unit for the historic moment. "They stayed together, trained together, ate together, relaxed together and gave utmost respect for each other whether they are officials or players," he said. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Koh and all players, parents and supporters thanked Tawfiq for honouring the promise and 'seeing and believing beyond ahead'. Thanks also went to the Masiung for the inspiring encouragement and also the liaison officers for the assistance.