TAMBUNAN: The 13th Special Education Athletics Championship (KOPK) organised by MSS Sabah which was held over three days here saw 736 student-athletes with special needs from across the State, accompanied by 444 officials and teacher escorts representing 24 districts, making it one of the largest such events held in Sabah.
Tambunan District Education Officer Dr Haison Jahudin said the event was not merely a competitive platform, but a space to uncover talent and recognise the exceptional potential of special education students in sports.
Special recognition was given to Tambunan’s Special Education Integration Programme (PPKI), which played a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth running of the event, alongside the supporting efforts of student assistants and the wider community.
The championship also served as a platform to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Tambunan’s special needs athletes who have brought pride to the state on both national and international stages.
One inspirational figure was Felicia Mikat of Tambunan who began her education at SKPK Pekan Tuaran, continued to SMK Badin and later enrolled at the Malaysia Sports School Sabah. Between 2013 and 2017, she secured three gold medals in the National Schools Sports Championship in the 100m, 200m and long jump events.
In 2017, Felicia brought home three bronze medals at the Asean Para Games in Kuala Lumpur in the 100m, 200m and 400m events. She also earned three gold medals in the 2016 and 2018 Para Sukma for the same events.
Another was Marell Michael from Kampung Timbou, Tambunan, a student of PPKI SMK Nambayan, who has shown that discipline and training can lead to exceptional success.
Since competing in the national-level KOPK MSSM in 2022, Marell has collected three gold medals in the 4x100m relay (each year setting new records), three silver medals in the 100m and 200m events and three bronze medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x400m events.
