SANDAKAN – The Sandakan Eagles Gymnastics Club (SEGC) is struggling to overcome the limitations of having outdated sports equipment, hoping for government support to upgrade their training facilities at the Sandakan gymnastic hall.
SEGC chairman Mohd Zamri Din said the gymnastics hall in the Sandakan sports complex is one of only two such facilities in Sabah equipped with spring floors and balance beams.
However, the equipment, acquired in 2001, has aged considerably and poses safety risks to gymnasts.
“The government has channelled funds several times for equipment since 2001 (each time about RM20,000), but it is not enough because getting a new set of equipment would cost about RM1 million.
“While I understand that it is a large sum, I hope that the federal government and the state government would consider allocating part of this needed sum.
“Our athletes in Sandakan and Sabah have great potential, and proper equipment would be a stepping stone to help them progress to a higher level,” he said when met at the Sandakan gymnastic hall today (September 30).
Zamri said that the ageing equipment hinders the training of various routines and exercises, putting athletes’ safety at risk.
He highlighted that many Sandakan athletes have the potential to excel in gymnastics and have represented Sabah in national-level competitions numerous times.
“Imagine the achievements Sandakan gymnasts could reach with improved equipment,” Zamri said.
During the opening ceremony of the SEGC Cup 2023 (Competition and Grading) in Sandakan, Zamri appealed for the support of Sandakan MP Vivian Wong Shir Yee in securing funding for new equipment.
In response to the request, Wong pledged to advocate for Zamri’s appeal with relevant ministries. She also noted that Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh had committed to allocating funds for enhancing facilities at the Sandakan Sports Complex, including the gymnastic hall.
The two-day SEGC Cup 2023 witnessed the participation of 240 gymnasts aged 5 to 18 from seven gymnastics clubs across Malaysia.
Athletes from Sabah had the opportunity to take the Grading test organised by the Malaysian Gymnastics Federation (MGF), an assessment usually conducted exclusively in Kuala Lumpur.
The test evaluates gymnasts’ skill levels and serves as a guideline for their progress in the sport, especially in leading up to their potential participation in the Sukma games.
The event was also attended by Tanjung Papat assemblyman Datuk Frankie Poon and representatives from MGF, including Olympian Farah Ann Abdul Hadi and national artistic gymnast Tan Ing Yueh.
Zamri also said that the competition aimed to attract more students in Sabah to join gymnastics, with the aspiration of nurturing local talents and producing outstanding gymnasts capable of elevating Sabah’s status in the sport. – October 3, 2023