collaboration vital for sports tourism: Liew
Published on: Sunday, September 29, 2019
By: GL Oh
KOTA KINABALU: The collaboration between the Sports Ministry and Tourism Ministry is very important for sports tourism in Sabah, said Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Christina Liew, Saturday.
She was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Puba (Putatan Basketball Association) International Basketball Invitation 2019 Competition at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex Indoor Stadium.
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“Sabah’s tourism industry is currently at its peak and is second to none in Malaysia. Last year, we topped the country in terms of tourist arrivals, followed by Penang and Selangor. Many tourists were attracted to our nature, culture and wildlife.
“But there is another aspect that has contributed to the booming of the tourism sector, and that is sports. Over the years, Sabah has been the host for many international sporting events such as the Climbathon, Marathon, Dragon Boat Festival Competition, World Amateur Golfers Championship and Basketball Tournament.
“As Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, I am mandated to ensure the tourism industry is able to bring benefits to both our State and visitors. Needless to say, this tournament augurs well for promotion of sports tourism in Sabah.
“This is why collaboration between the Sports Ministry and Tourism Ministry is crucial. Through this event, I hope to have more collaboration with the State Ministry of Youth and Sports in future in order to make Sabah not only a golden tourism spot, but also a great sporting hub in Asia, and even globally,” she said.
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She praised Putatan District Basketball Association for taking the initiative to organise the event.
“By inviting me to such an auspicious event where I am able to witness the participation of international teams from four countries, and I also understand that there are participants from seven foreign countries, namely Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Negara Brunei, USA, Philippines and even from Nigeria.
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“Truly, to organise an event of such a scale is not an easy task and I would like to applaud Puba for a job well done. Not forgetting the sponsors and partners who contributed to the success of this event.
Your continuous support towards the basketball arena is of utmost importance and my gratitude to you for your invaluable contributions. Without your support, this event would not have been organised so well.”
She also urged the foreign participants to have a memorable stay here with the nature’s blessings Sabah have such as Mt Kinabalu, idyllic islands, pristine beaches, rich flora and exotic fauna, among other natural attractions, as well as one of the best diving spots in the world, the Sipadan Island.
Also present at the closing ceremony were Tai Ket Hau – Organising Chairman of Puba 2019; Phan Chee Yong – Chairman of Sabah Basketball Association cum Vice-Chairman of Malaysia Basketball Association; Fung Chun Fatt – Vice-President of Sabah Basketball Association cum President of Kota Kinabalu Basketball Association;Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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