Sabah aims to keep traditional sports alive, especially among youth

The Star

26-05-2025

KOTA KINABALU: Plans are underway to expand traditional sports competitions to every district in Sabah in a bid to preserve the state's rich cultural heritage.
Assistant Youth and Sports Min­is­ter Datuk Fairuz Renddan ( pic ) said the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that traditional games are not forgotten, especially among the younger generation.
'Games such as arm wrestling, slingshot, blowpipe, mopiri (a traditional fire-starting method using a stick and coconut husk), membujak (a heritage game invol­ving spear-throwing at a target) and others are more than just entertainment, they are cultural symbols that must be preserved and passed down,' he said.
Fairuz stressed on the importance of maintaining cultural iden­tity in the face of modern influen­ces such as electronic sports (e-sports), adding that rural communities continue to play a key role in preserving such traditions.
Fairuz made the remarks after officiating the Traditional Sports Competition held in conjunction with the state-level Kaamatan Festival 2025 at SMK Bahang Hall on Saturday.
This year's competition saw encouraging participation from local youth, a positive sign that traditional sports are still valued and enjoyed.
Fairuz said the ministry, with support from agencies such as the Sabah Sports Board, PETRONAS and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry, plans to bring such competitions to all major zones and districts in the state.
He said youth involvement is vital to ensuring the continuity of Sabah's heritage.
'Without the old, there is no new.
'If the younger generation forgets or fails to carry on these traditions, our traditional games will fade with time,' he said.
Fairuz also encouraged parents to expose their children to traditional sports from an early age, either through participation or by attending local competitions.