Sabah set to become hub for new sport Jombola

Kota Kinabalu: Jombola, a relatively new racquet sport developed by a Malaysian which has been very active in the Peninsula since 2011 will be formally introduced to Sabah in the very near future.

The game played on a badminton court using a Jombola racquet and a high grade foam ball was created by history teacher Sukdev Singh, who is also the President of Malaysia Jombola Association (MJA) in 2006.

National Sports Enthusiasts Council (Nasec) secretary general S. Rajasegram, ex-official with MJA said on Wednesday that they have taken the initial steps to introduce the sport here since December last year.

“This sport took five years to develop before it was finally introduced to the world stage in August 2011.

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“It has been expanding well in the Peninsula since it was launched. Now we are bringing it to Sabah in our aim to make Sabah as a hub for the sport in the region.

“We have met and discussed with several parties including Youth and Sports Minister Phoong Jin Zhe, State Education Department and Sabah Youth Council.

“There was a very positive response in our effort to promote the sport here in Sabah but unfortunately we are unable to progress further due to the Covid-19 crisis.

“However, with the strong support received from the Sabah people, we are very excited and will continue our promotion right after the crisis ends or in September this year,” he said.

He also revealed that the Sabah Jombola State Body has been formed with Sabah Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry Hj Azhar Matussin, State representative for Karambunai as its advisor.

He said making Sabah as the hub is the idea and dream of Azhar, and together with Phoong, both are also committed to develop the sport in Sabah with strong support from Nasec Emeritus Datuk Balwant Singh Kler who is a Sabah Tokoh Sukan recipient.

“As adopted sport for Nasec, we are determined to promote Jombola to all corners of Sabah especially through schools.

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“The sport is very affordable and economical that can be played by all ages, gender. Therefore, we believe with the readily available badminton facilities, it will quickly find a place here in Sabah.”

He added that more a detailed planning on the direction by a task force will be carried out after the end of Movement Control Order (MCO).

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