Sabah expects over 600,00 participants for state-level National Sports Day

KOTA KINABALU (Aug 28): Sabah aims to surpass half a million participants in this year's National Sports Day (HSN) celebration, representing approximately 17 percent of the state's total population of 3.83 million. Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, head of the Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy committee, revealed the ambitious target during a recent state-level HSN main committee meeting.

Nizam emphasized that accomplishing this goal necessitates collaboration among various ministries, agencies, and departments across Sabah. This year's HSN, scheduled for October 10 at Padang Pekan Tuaran, diverges from previous editions held in major cities like Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Sandakan, and Keningau. Instead, the state-level event will be held outside Kota Kinabalu, with simultaneous activities in Tawau, Sandakan, Beaufort, Kudat, and Keningau.

Additionally, schools, the police, state and federal agencies will organize district and local events. The Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, is expected to preside over the opening ceremony. HSN 2026 includes diverse activities such as aerobics, Larian Ria Madani, Berjalan Ria Madani, martial arts demonstrations, traditional sports, children's games, three-a-side netball, e-sports, penalty shoot-outs, and a Madani Rahmah Sale, with prizes and digital certificates for participants.

Nizam highlighted that the 2026 HSN program aims to promote sports, fitness, and recreational activities, including emerging disciplines like pickleball, footgolf, digital dodgeball, and virtual taekwondo. He urged the committee members to cooperate and achieve the key performance indicators set nationally.