TAMBUNAN: The Pensiangan contingent emerged as champions by collecting ten gold, eight silver and four bronze medals at the 13th Sabah School Sports Council (MSSS) Special Education Athletics Championship held at the Sports Complex here.
Keningau came in second place by winning eight golds, 12 silvers and seven bronzes, while third place went to Ranau with six gold, nine silver and ten bronze medals.
Kota Kinabalu came in fourth place with six golds and two silvers while Penampang completed the top five with four golds, one silver and one bronze.
A total of 24 contingents from all districts throughout Sabah participated in 63 athletic events contested in the championship which saw 17 records broken.
Meanwhile, Kota Kinabalu’s Fredeena Fenny Fedrick Egat, who won gold in the shot put event with a record of 9.08 metres (m), breaking her old record of 8.71m set in 2024, was selected as the recipient of the Girl 12 Sportswoman.
Pensiangan’s Mohammad Danielhaziq Abdullah, who won gold in the 200m (28.55s) and bronze in the 100m (14.13s), was selected as the recipient of the Sportsman for the Male 12 category.
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Sandakan’s Nurul Sahada Hawani Abdullah, who set three new records and won three gold medals in the 400m (65.86s), 200m (28.50s) and 100m (13.93s), was selected as the Girl 15 Sportswoman.
The Sportsman for the Men’s 15 category was won by Beaufort’s Mohamad Syahzwan William, who won three golds with three new records in the shot put (16.62m), discus throw (58.87m) and javelin throw (43.34m).
Pitas’ Nurul Sahirah Abdullah, who brought home two golds – javelin (28.14m) with a new record and shot put (8.11m) – and silver in discus (23.30m), was selected as the Sportswoman of the Women 19 category.
Meanwhile, Tawau’s Mohammad Danial Amirul Azri, who also set a new record in the 200m (22.9s) in addition to winning the gold in 400m (52.43s) and silver in 100m (11.65s) was selected as the Sportsman of the Men 19 category.
In his closing speech, Director of the Sabah Education Department Datuk Raisin Saidin said that a tournament like this is not just a competition, but a symbol of commitment to inclusive education.
“Our athletes today have proven that lack is not an obstacle to success,” he said in his speech which was read by the Chief Senior Assistant Director, Special Education Sector, Sabah Education Department Bernadette John.
He said their determination should be an inspiration to all and suggested that such a tournament be followed up with a talent monitoring programme for special needs students at the district and state levels, as well as wider participation in national tournaments so that Sabah continues to produce excellent special needs athletes.
Also present at the event were the District Education Officer Dr. Haison Jahudin, District Officer Sobitun Makajil, officers and deputy district education officers as well as heads of state and federal government departments, principals, headmasters, teachers and parents.
