Kota Kinabalu: Newly appointed Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Titingan vowed to lead Sabah to the top of the sporting arena in the country.He said in his speech during the Youth and Sports Ministry appreciation dinner on Tuesday evening that his Ministry will give their all in order for the State to produce world class athletes.
"Sabah as the second largest state in the country should not have any difficulty in finding quality athletes. I believe we should be at least in the top three position in games such as Sukma and the right steps must be taken in order for us to achieve our target before we fall further behind."
He added that modern technology should be engaged to ensure that the athletes are given the best in their training as well as to analyse each of the teams' and individual's performance and at the same time to certain that there will not be any wastage of funds.
"I am sure with the joint efforts from all concern, we will be able to produce many talented athletes such as household names James Wong, Hassan Sani and others that have brought glory to the State and country."
He also reemphasized the need for a long term planning by his Ministry to provide a wider base in getting youth in Sabah to indulge in sporting activities, especially those in the rural areas.
"I believed we have many youth in the mountainous areas who are waiting to be uncovered by us to become world class marathon or long distance runners as well as those living in the Semporna areas whom I also believed have been swimming in sea water since early teens and this is where we should provide the right facilities for them to develop."
The Minister also expressed his sincere thanks for the solid ground work laid down by his predecessors Datuk Peter Pang En Yin and his assistant Datuk Jahid Jahim who were also the guests of honour at the function.
Also present were Assistant Youth and Sports Minister Masiung Banah, the Ministry's Permanent Secretary Datuk Suzannah Liaw and other top officials as well as invited guests.
