This Tenom man isn't just attending the Paris Olympics. He's also bringing a piece of Sabah to the world.
Published on: Friday, August 09, 2024
By: Jessie Lee
Yap Ken Vun's journey to the Paris 2024 Olympics was not just about sports, but also to showcase culture on a global stage. (Yap Ken Vun pic)
Kota Kinabalu: For Yap Ken Vun, a 36-year-old executive from Tenom, attending the Paris 2024 Olympics was more than just watching world-class athletes compete -- it was an opportunity to bring a piece of Sabah to the world.
He began planning his journey three years ago when he knew he would miss the Tokyo Games because of the pandemic.
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“I joined the draw for the Olympics tickets, but unfortunately, I failed to get them.
“After that, when the official tickets opened for first-come-first-served, I managed to get one ticket for the Badminton Semifinals,” he said to Daily Express.
He carefully managed his expenses to make the trip possible.
“For accommodation, because the cost was too high and I could not afford the price, I decided to share the cost with other supporters.
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“I always checked Skyscanner to compare flight prices. If the price was within my budget, I would buy it,” Yap said.
His resourcefulness extended to his savings and additional income.
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“I have a savings account specifically for the Paris Olympics. Every month, I would save around RM300 to RM500.
“I also did part-time jobs after work, such as delivery service, and my small business in Tenom also helped cover the expenses,” he said.
Yap shared that he wore the traditional Kadazandusun outfit during the games, and it became a hit on social media.
“People asked about the name of the outfit, and I showed them where I come from using Google Maps.
“I even performed a simple Sumazau dance at the Eiffel Tower Olympics Rings,” he said.
He said the atmosphere in Paris, surrounded by supporters from all over the world, was breathtaking.
Meeting fellow Sabahans in Paris who were surprised to see him in the traditional attire was even a proud moment for Yap.
“I watched badminton and athletics. For badminton, I managed to watch from the round of 16 to the final in all categories.
“The most memorable match was the bronze medal match in the men’s doubles between Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Lee Zii Jia.
“I was one of the Malaysian supporters in the stadium to witness their victory,” he recalled.
Yap said he also had the opportunity to see top athletes in action, including Malaysia’s Azeem Fahmi in the 100m race, USA’s Noah Lyles, and Sweden’s Armand Duplantis in the men’s pole vault.
Yap’s journey to the Paris 2024 Olympics was not just about sports, but also to showcase culture on a global stage.
“I hope to bring this in a positive way. I wish we can celebrate and give more exposure to our culture,” he said.
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