Kota Kinabalu: Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and Backyard Archery Club emerged champions in the recent Sabah Open Archery Championship 2025 (Series 1) held at the Sukma Archery Range in Likas.
ATM captured the senior title with seven golds, five silvers and two bronzes while Backyard Archery Club of Kota Marudu/Kota Belud ruled supreme in the junior categories with their haul of 12 golds, three silvers and five bronzes.
There were a total of 194 participants from various districts of Sabah and also foreign countries like Hong Kong, Philippines and Indonesia.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});The event was organised by Kota Kinabalu District Archery Association (PMDKK) in collaboration with Sabah State Archery Association (PMNS) and Penampang District Archery Association (PMDP).
It was also used as a practical session for the facilitators to conduct a basic judging/refreshment course which attracted 27 participants.
PMNS president Datuk Ram Singh, who is also PMDKK president, was pleased with the success of both events.
He said the emergence of archers from Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, Tongod and Sandakan as major contenders was a clear indication that the district development programmes are on the right track.
He added that in their efforts to raise the standard of coaches in Sabah, the State body had also sanctioned Rawja Archery to organise a two-day basic coaching course held a few days after the championship.
“All the activities carried out were to strengthen the foundation of Sabah archery in the hope of producing more national archers like Muhamad Syafiq Busthamin, Evan Rich Chong Qi Wei and Quik Chern Xin.
“I can assure that through all our affiliates, we will continue to organise more events to explore more talents in the sport,” he said.
Ram in his speech at the dinner party held after the event thanked the Youth and Sports Ministry for its grant and also to all the corporate and individual sponsors as well as the volunteers for their support to make the event a memorable one for everyone especially the foreign guests.