PENAMPANG, Dec 23, 2025 — Penampang Member of Parliament Datuk Ewon Benedick on Tuesday presented incentives and appreciation awards to athletes, coaches, managers and officials of the Penampang district team who represented Sabah at the 2025 Sabah Games (SAGA) in Tawau last October.
The Penampang SAGA team delivered a strong performance at the multi-sport event, securing a total of 45 medals, reinforcing the district’s standing as one of the key contributors to Sabah’s overall campaign.
Athletes received cash incentives of RM1,000 for each gold medal, RM700 for silver and RM500 for bronze, funded by local leaders within the Penampang parliamentary constituency and channelled through the Penampang Municipal Council.
Ewon, who also serves as Deputy Chief Minister III and Sabah Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, said the incentives were a recognition of the athletes’ dedication and achievements, and were intended to spur further sporting excellence.
“As the Member of Parliament for Penampang, I hope these incentives will continue to motivate athletes, coaches and managers to bring greater honour to Penampang through sports,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to all leaders and stakeholders who supported the Penampang SAGA team, adding that the medal haul should serve as encouragement for other teams preparing for future sporting competitions.
Ewon said the achievement would provide added momentum ahead of the next Sabah Games, which are scheduled to be hosted in Sandakan.
At the same time, he highlighted the need to improve sports facilities and infrastructure in Penampang, following feedback from coaches and managers in several disciplines, including karate, taekwondo, basketball and badminton, who cited a lack of suitable training venues.
He said the absence of safe and fully functional community halls had posed challenges for training sessions, particularly for sports requiring indoor facilities, and that the matter would be raised at the district-level action committee for further consideration.
“With improved sports facilities, I believe Penampang will be better prepared to host the Sabah Games or other sporting events in the future,” he said.
