Sabah sailing receives a boost
Published on: Tuesday, August 20, 2019
By: GL Oh
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah sailing has received a boost from Youth and Sports Minister Phoong Jin Zhe as he assured them that his Ministry will look into ways to improve their training facilities.
He was speaking after the closing of the KFC-26th Merdeka Day Open Regatta 2019 at Kinabaku Yacht Club (KYC) in Tanjung Aru on Sunday.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Since I took over the office, I had a meeting with the Sabah Sailing Association to discuss on issues concerning the development of the sport.
“I was then made to understand that the sport has been hindered by the lack of facilities and the association has been asking for better training facilities for years.
“It is my responsibility to actually help Sabah sailing to achieve more success, so I will work closely with Sabah Sailing Association and Kinabalu Yacht Club in order for them to achieve that,” he said.
He also praised the organising committee headed by Ronald Cooke and reckoned sailing here has the potential to become one of the main sports tourism attractions for the State.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I was actually surprised to see the scale of the event today. I am very impressed with what they have achieved in hosting the event with the participation of several countries.
“As you know Tanjung Aru beach is ranked among one of the top best beaches in the world to watch sunset. So when it comes to sailing being held here, it can directly relate to sports tourism, which is worth tapping into,” he added.
ADVERTISEMENT
Meanwhile, some 150 sailors took part in the three-day event organised by KYC.
Zakariyah Rizky Darmakian from Porlasi Jawa Timur ruled in the International 470 Open (series race) with Hedy Yunus Bhagaskara as his crew member.
Second place went to Melissa Yong and crew Faizal Shakir , and in third place were the pair of Chia Ching Byn and Jeremy Chin.
In the International 420 class, Zaifah Zainey Handy and Muhd Hafizzal took the top spot followed by Nabila Ayu Matasyah/Salsabila Nanda J and Davevians Anak Dismas/Syukri Halias.
Mohd Shahieran Raiman was the winner in the Laser 4.7 overall followed by Syahzharoul Aiman Rozaiman and Muhd Yusuf Abdullah while the top three winners in the girls category were Jia Lun Cai, Nur Adlina Nasreen Mohd Nasri and Jia Yi Cai.
The Laser Standard overall title went to Bobi Muhd H.S with Tengku Amirul Syafiq Tengku Zaidi and Ian Yong Wai Ching in second and third place respectively while the radial title was won by Muhd Faizal Ahmad Asri followed by Muhd Afiq Irsyad Adam and Nur Alia Amera Muhd Latif.
The Optimist overall title won by Muhd Azehar Mangsor. Ammar Zulqarnain Zaiuddins came in second with Putera Adrine Danish Mohd Puad in third.
Azehar and Putera also came first and second in division A with Ammar in third.
Muhd Syahid Hakimi Mohd Faizal was the division B winner followed by Mohd Syahieradham Raiman and Chen Jui Hsuan while the top three in division C were Nur Hafizanah Zailan, Kee Aleana Abdullah and Tong Xuen Yu.
The Optimist girls’ category was won by Ummu Nurdania Rozaini followed by Nur Awatif Safri and Yen Wei Hsuan.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
