Youth and Sports Ministry Urged to Maintain Focus on Youth Development

19 September 2024

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor commended the State Ministry of Youth and Sports for its impactful youth and sports development programmes.

"The Youth and Sports Ministry plays a crucial role in fostering youth and sports development in our state. Our youth represent the future, making their development essential," he stated during his visit to the Ministry at Wisma Muis today.

He highlighted the success of the Youth Entrepreneur Development Programme (SYABAS), which has helped several participants achieve millionaire status. Permanent Secretary Datuk Mansor Asun noted that the Ministry has allocated RM7 million to the program, benefiting 5,500 participants across various business enterprises throughout the state.

"This is an outstanding initiative. I urge the Ministry to maintain a strong focus on this program so that even more deserving youths can reap its benefits," Hajiji emphasised.

The Chief Minister congratulated the Sabah Sukma contingent for securing 29 golds in the 2024 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) held in Sarawak last month.

"Although we fell short of the 40-gold target, we gave our best. Train harder to do better in the future," he said.

He also commended Eddy Bernard, Sabah’s paralympian to the Paris Paralympics for winning the 100m bronze medal.

“Going forward, I want the Ministry to further improve the standard of sports in Sabah, including refurbishing sports complexes and their facilities to benefit athletes,” he stressed.

Present were Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ellron Alfred Angin, Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim, State Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Ariffin Arif, assistant ministers and senior Youth and Sports Ministry officials.