SIPITANG: Pisgo FT from Beaufort emerged as champions of the Sipitang Open Futsal Tournament, held in conjunction with the 2024 Kadayan Annual Festival of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Traditional Foods in Sabah.
They defeated Rizkysamudera from Kota Marudu in the final match at the Top 10 Futsal Court of the Sipitang District Council.
Pisgo FT took home RM3,000 in cash and a trophy, while runners-up Rizkysamudera received RM1,000 and a trophy.
The joint third-place winners, Red Jaws and Bosku, each won RM500 and a trophy.
The two-day tournament, held from Dec 28 to 29, featured 15 teams and was organised by the Kadayan Sabah Association (Paadian) and the Sabah Local Entrepreneurs Club (Kuat) in collaboration with the District Office, Sipitang District Council, and various agencies and departments.
Sindumin Assemblyman and Paadian President, Datuk Dr. Yusof Yacob, said the festival’s goal of attracting 30,000 to 50,000 visitors to Sipitang, with an estimated cash flow injection of RM3 to RM5 million into the local economy.
The carnival was officially launched by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
In his speech, delivered by State Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Datuk Dr. Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, the Chief Minister announced an allocation of RM13.66 million for the upcoming year to preserve the State’s cultural and artistic heritage.
“This funding aims to ensure the continued preservation of our cultural treasures for the benefit of current and future generations while boosting the tourism sector,” he said.
The Chief Minister also said that preserving cultural heritage is vital not only to maintaining national identity but also as a foundation for unity and social harmony.
The five-day festival, which began on Dec 27, featured various activities, including cultural performances, concerts, exhibition booths, traditional games, and the futsal tournament.
The event attracted visitors from Indonesia, Sarawak, Brunei, and Labuan.
