Sandakan: Keningau emerged overall champions of the 8th Sabah Games (Saga VIII) which concluded on Friday.Having finished overall runners-up in the previous edition two years ago in Tawau, Keningau led from the first day of competition to end the Games with 31 gold, 26 silver and 19 bronze medals to finish top of the medal standings.
Second overall were hosts Sandakan with 24 golds, 19 silvers and 21 bronzes while Kota Kinabalu, the 2015 Saga Games overall champions, finished third with 22 golds, 16 silvers and 31 bronzes.
Meanwhile, this year's Saga saw many achievements and history being created.
At the closing ceremony on Friday night at the Sandakan Sports Complex, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan in his speech delivered by Youth and Sports Assistant Minister Datuk Masiung Banah said many had stated that the edition held in Sandakan was among the best ever.
This was evident during the glittering opening ceremony. The Saga competition venues and carnivals that were held was also well received by the public.
"As we know, Saga is a long-term sports development programme in line with the State's Sports Policy and National Sports Policy which aims to identify more potential athletes from the grassroots level to be selected for the State and nation to compete at the national and international stage".
Tawfiq added that at this Saga new records were created in archery and athletics.
"This shows that the performance and quality of our athletes are improving and have the potential to go even further."
He congratulated all the medal winners but reminded them not to rest on their laurels.
He said that the medals were distributed evenly among the contingents as he noted there was no monopoly by a single district in this Saga.
In that respect, he hoped the athletes who had won medals will continue to train hard because those who had excelled at this Saga will be selected to represent the State at the 2018 Sukma in Perak.
"To those who were not successful and unlucky, don't give up and try again at the next Saga," he said.
Tawfiq also recorded his appreciation to all who were involved in making the Sandakan Saga a success.
This year's Sabah Games held from December 9-15 saw 2,398 male and 1,635 female athletes from26 districts taking part in 20 events.
The 9th edition of the Sabah Games in 2019 will be co-hosted by Keningau, Tenom and Tambunan. - Mardinah Jikur
_(1)_(1).%5B1%5D.png)
