Latest news with #SabahTennisAssociation
Daily Express
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Express
Sabah Tennis Association congratulates Yuna on her victory
Published on: Friday, May 30, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 30, 2025 By: Lorena Binisol Text Size: Yuna: A gem in Sabah tennis. Kota Kinabalu: In a stunning display of skill and determination, Sabah's Yuna Koh emerged victorious in the Girls 12 & Under singles category, during the Tennis Malaysia Junior Tour Leg 3 held in Ipoh, Perak from May 19 to 25. Sabah Tennis Association (STA) congratulated the young athlete on her win at the national tournament. Another proud accolade for Sabah's new shining star in the making. From a draw of 32 participants, Yuna had to battle through five matches to reach the top. A first round sweep against Selangor's Naveena Netania 4-0, 4-0, and an encounter with second seeded Kuala Lumpur's Tan Ei Xin 4-0, 4-1, followed by defeating the 6th seeded Reefa Amani of Perlis 6-0, 6-2, and another sweep against third seeded Selangor's Amani Rose 6-0, 6-0, to enter the finals. Defying all odds, the un-ranked player outmatched the defending first seeded Isabella Rihanna of Johor 6-0, 6-1, to take home the gold. STA appreciated the firm effort she made in and off the court. Sabah's Sport Ministry encourages athletes to take part in competitions for the benefit of both Sabah and individually. Achievements such as the grant, the state and the well-earned respect and recognition as a worthy competitor among the Peninsular giants, such as Johor and Selangor. Advertisement Stepping boldly into next tournaments, STA hoped local players take examples of motivation and hard work bringing great achievement such as Yuna's as inspiration to strive for success with their tennis career. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Express
Game-changer for Sabah tennis: STA
Published on: Sunday, May 18, 2025 Published on: Sun, May 18, 2025 By: Lorena Binisol Text Size: The newly formed committee with their slogan, 'Nurturing Talent, Shaping Champions'. Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Tennis Association (STA) central committee met recently for the 2025–2027 term and representatives unanimously elected the STA team from seven district associations recently. The newly formed committee, under new President Dr. Terrence Soong, pledged to prioritise grassroots development and infrastructure expansion, particularly in under-served districts such as Kota Belud, Semporna, and Kuala Penyu. Advertisement Bridging the gap in tennis infrastructure for all over Sabah is the committee's main agenda. Soong said that plans to construct a tennis complex in Kota Belud are in the final stages of approval, and thanks collaborative efforts with the Sabah Sports Board (LSS) and the Ministry of Sports, Sabah. 'Our goal is to ensure no district is left behind. Kota Belud's facility will mirror the refurbished courts in Sandakan, providing youth with access to training facilities,' he said during a press briefing. The initiative also goes to Semporna and Kuala Penyu, where infrastructure remained limited. Advertisement The projects align with STA's renewed slogan, 'Nurturing Talent, Shaping Champions,' which marked its commitment in cultivating future stars while fostering inclusively in the sport. In addition to infrastructure upgrades, Soong announced plans to revitalise tennis activities in Tawau and Kudat, where local associations have been dormant. 'Tawau and Kudat have produced talented players in the past. By reactivating these associations, we hope to re-ignite interest and create pathways for competitive play,' he said. The move is expected to bolster participation in regional tournaments and strengthen Sabah's presence in national circuits. The 9-member Central Committee comprised representatives from urban and rural districts, ensuring diverse perspectives in decision-making. Key appointees include seasoned administrators, coaches, and former athletes, all tasked with driving STA's four-year strategic plane the emphasis was mainly for youth development programmes, coach certification initiatives, and partnerships with schools to integrate tennis into physical education curricula. Local coaches and players have also welcomed the committee's progressive vision. 'This is a game-changer for districts like Kota Belud. Access to proper courts will motivate young athletes to take the sport seriously,' said Mahmuddin, president of Kota Belud Tennis association. They came 3rd in the overall standings, their highest ever ranking, in the recent 37th Sabah State Inter Affiliate Tennis Championships. With the newly formed committee, STA is poised to transform Sabah into a tennis hub for Borneo and outside of the State. The association's immediate focus included the facilitation of construction of new tennis courts in districts without tennis courts, upgrading existing tennis courts and hosting inter-district tournaments to scout emerging talent. With their new slogan, the journey to 'shape champions', begins with empowering every corner of Sabah, one court at a time. ELECTED COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESIDENT - Dr. Terrence Soong (KK) VICE PRESIDENT – Sylvester Lawai (Sandakan) HONORARY SECRETARY – Irwan Isdup (KK) HONORARY TREASURER – Mahezzuan Masdah (Kuala Penyu) COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Aaron Bradley Masikam (KK), Christopher Lim (Sandakan), Mohd. Firdaus Sukor (Kota Belud), Rasyid bin Abdul Ghani (Keningau) and Tham Kok Min (Lahad Datu). * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Express
Kota Kinabalu crowned the overall champions
Published on: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 13, 2025 By: Lorena Binisol Text Size: Dr. Soong opening the 37th State Inter-Affiliate Tennis Tournament. Kota Kinabalu: Kota Kinabalu team emerged as the overall champions in the 37th Sabah Chief Minister's Overall Challenge Trophy, reclaiming the title in a spirited showdown that once again confirmed its dominance in state tennis. Held from May 9 to 11 at the Likas Sports Complex, the prestigious tournament brought together seven district teams namely, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Keningau, Kuala Penyu, Semporna and Kota Belud in a three-day contest filled with grit and skill. Last year, Kota Kinabalu shared the championship with Sandakan after both teams finished with equal points. This year, however, the capital city's team claimed sole ownership of the title. The tournament, a highlight of Sabah's tennis calendar, continued to foster camaraderie among tennis players across the State, drawing participation from a wide spectrum of age groups and backgrounds. President of the Kota Kinabalu Lawn Tennis Association (KKLTA), Dr. Terrence Soong, explained the broader impact of the event. 'It is not merely a game or a contest, it's about solidarity and unity through sports. It inspires excellence and nurtures lifelong value. By participating in this tournament, players uphold the spirit of sportsmanship and foster a healthy, competitive environment,' said Dr. Soong. He also called on players to continue developing their skills in preparation for future national-level tournaments and praised the event's role in nurturing new talent. He took the opportunity to honour key figures who have contributed significantly to the sport in Sabah. He highlighted the dedication of William Lo, KKLTA's head coach for over four decades, for his commitment to developing young athletes. He also thanked Mohd Tahir DSP Kassim for his continued support for tennis in Kota Kinabalu and to other districts. Special recognition was given to Johnson Koh, immediate past president of the Sabah Tennis Association, for his 18 years of service, particularly in youth development, as well as to Datuk Idrus Shafie, former KKLTA president, for his instrumental role in revitalising the association. He also commended Joseph Balanjiu Jr., coach Tito Latoja and the KKLTA committee for their success in organising this year's tournament. As the teams battled for the coveted Chief Minister's Trophy, the excitement and energy on the courts reflected the growing strength and unity of Sabah's tennis fraternity. Sandakan Tennis Association president Silvester Lawai, who led a 36-member contingent, expressed pride in his team's performance despite not repeating last year's shared victory. 'We came back with strong determination. Our players were motivated and aimed to defend the title, but unfortunately, we didn't make it this time. We'll do our best next year,' he said. Among Sandakan's participants was the tournament's youngest player, 11-year-old Sandra Alicia, who took part in her first state-level competition—symbolising the bright future of Sabah tennis. Keningau's team, led by Rashid Ghani, brought a 41-member squad and participated in every category. Although they did not secure the overall title, Ghani emphasised the importance of participation and inspiring the next generation. 'Our goal was the championship, but what matters most is that our young players gain exposure and motivation,' he said, noting that the tournament's oldest player was 62, competing in the veteran category. Lahad Datu, led by Tham Kok Min, fielded 23 players. Tham reflected on their proud achievement in 2018 when they won the veteran's title, the last time the district held a trophy. He also acknowledged challenges in player development due to the lack of professional coaching in Lahad Datu. 'We have many talented juniors, but limited access to trained coaches hinders their growth. There's still much room for improvement in our grassroots programmes,' he added. With its blend of seasoned athletes, aspiring youth, and committed organisers, the 37th State Inter-Affiliate Tennis Tournament was more than just a battle for silverware, rather, a celebration of Sabah's vibrant and evolving tennis community. Results of the 37th Inter-affiliate Tennis Tournament: Junior Boys – Kota Kinabalu (champions), Sandakan (runners-up), Kota Belud (3rd place); Junior Girls – Kota Kinabalu (champions), Kota Belud (runners-up), Sandakan (3rd place); Ladies – Sandakan (champions), Kota Kinabalu (runners-up), Lahad Datu (3rd place); Men – Kota Kinabalu (champions), Sandakan (runners-up), Lahad Datu (3rd place); Veteran's Men – Kota Kinabalu (champions), Kota Belud (runners-up), Sandakan (3rd place). * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Johnson eyeing another term as Sabah Tennis Association president
Johnson eyeing another term as Sabah Tennis Association president Kota Kinabalu: Johnson Koh hopes to lead the Sabah Tennis Association (STA) for another term before stepping down after more than a decade at the helm. In a statement released on Tuesday, he called on all the affiliates to support him at the Annual General Meeting scheduled tomorrow (Thursday) here in Kota Kinabalu. Advertisement 'I will be going for one more term as president of STA before officially handing over the leadership to another capable candidate, and I will be always available if needed,' he said. He believed he has done a lot to the sport since he was elected 17 years ago and hoped all the affiliates and delegates would consider his plea. SPONSORED CONTENT Among the achievements he stated are the success in getting Sabah Sports Board to construct the roofs for the Likas Tennis Courts, initiating the Sabah Team Tennis invitational Tournament, bringing the Asia Tennis Federation ATF 14 Tournament in Sabah and improving the financial status of STA. In addition, he also claimed that he was instrumental in getting the Sandakan tennis courts resurfaced and hope to be there in person when it is officially opened by Federal Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh later this year. Advertisement Meanwhile, the Inter affiliates tournament will be held after the AGM hosted by Kota Kinabalu District Tennis Association under its newly elected president Dr Terrance Soong.
Daily Express
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Express
Sandakan to be first-time hosts
Published on: Tuesday, May 06, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 06, 2025 By: GL Oh Text Size: Koh said the decision was reached by the main committee in view of better court condition in Sandakan. Kota Kinabalu: Sandakan will be hosting this year's Sabah Team Tennis Invitational tournament for the first time in its 16-year history. Sabah Tennis Association (STA) president Johnson Koh said the decision was reached by the main committee in view of better court condition in Sandakan. 'This change of venue from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan this year is appropriate as the courts in Sandakan have been resurfaced with funds from the Federal Youth and Sports Ministry under YB Hannah Yeoh. 'The new surface will definitely be welcomed by the participants compared to the Likas tennis courts and at the same time, by hosting the tournament in Sandakan will help to attract more visitors where they get to taste the famous Sandakan seafood,' he said. He also said Sandakan District Tennis Association (SDTA) president Silvester Lawai will invite Hannah through Sandakan Member Of Parliament Vivian Wong to officiate the tournament initiated by him when he took over as president of STA 17 years ago. 'We are working on the initial preparation at the moment and I am confident that Sandakan will be a good host to ensure all the participants will enjoy the tournament and during their stay there,' he added. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
