Kota Kinabalu: Sabah cannot rest on its scenery alone if it wants to become a Playcation hotspot, according to State Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan.
“Playcation is a fresh way of bringing together tourism, sports, recreation, entertainment, creativity and social interaction,” he said when officiating the Playcation@Sabah 2026 launching cum Sunset Gala Dinner, here, Saturday.
For the record, Playcation, founded in Singapore, offers a vacation concept for those who would rather roll up their sleeves than sit on the sidelines, with active fun and hands-on experiences taking the place of passive sightseeing or resting.
With its tagline, “play hard and party hard”, the Playcation@Sabah edition, held from Sept 19 to 20, brings table tennis, badminton and pickleball to venues around Kota Kinabalu.
“Today’s travellers do not just want to come, take photos and leave. They want to participate, try something new, play sports, enjoy local culture, create content, meet people and bring home meaningful memories,” Nizam said.
He said Sabah already had what it needed, from beaches, islands, mountains and forests to rivers, rich cultures and unique traditions.
“But we should not look at Sabah only as a place with beautiful scenery. We need to turn our destination into experiences,” he said, pointing out that the concept could open doors for young Sabahans and local entrepreneurs.
“We do not want young Sabahans and local entrepreneurs to remain only as spectators. We want them to become creators, entrepreneurs, organisers, content producers and owners of new economic opportunities.
“Instead of only following trends, we want them to create trends from Sabah for Malaysia and one day for the world,” he said, pointing out that the creative economy has strong potential to promote the State.
“A short video can introduce an entire village. A single photograph can attract visitors to an island. A cultural performance can introduce Sabah to people who have never been here. And a sporting event can bring visitors, create business and support the local economy,” he said.
He said Playcation could also support business tourism by drawing professionals and entrepreneurs to Sabah for meetings, conferences and networking.
“They can attend meetings during the day, take part in industry events and still enjoy our nature, culture, sport and recreational activities during their free time,” he said, pointing out that the Sabah Government cannot drive the concept alone without collaboration.
“The government cannot do everything alone. We need ideas from the industries, creativity from our young people, support from local communities and entrepreneurs who are willing to try new ideas and create new experiences,” he said.
He also wants Playcation to grow outside Kota Kinabalu, naming Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Semporna, Kudat, Keningau, Ranau, Tuaran, Papar, Beaufort and Sipitang.
“Each district has its own identity, culture, food, product, attraction and experiences.
“If we develop this properly, Sabah can offer recreational, sporting, cultural and creative experiences throughout the year.
“This will not only attract more visitors, but also create jobs, support local businesses and bring more economic opportunities to communities,” he said, inviting the organisers to seek his support for similar programmes.
“Come to Sabah for its beauty, return to Sabah for its experiences, and remember Sabah for the memories you create here,” he said.
Present were Borneo Referral Group Founder cum Chief Executive Officer Dr Brandon Chin, Singapore Sports League Pte Ltd Playcation Founder Varadharajan Kumaravelu, GoGlobal Business School Founder Dr Azeeza Jalaluddin and Sabah Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Lt Muda Maritim (B) Awil Kamsari, among others.
