KOTA MARUDU: A young athlete from Kota Marudu is set to carry Sabah’s challenge at the national school sports stage after being selected to represent the State at the 2026 Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) Championships.
Jovett Heaven Jonis, a student of Sekolah Menengah Advent Goshen (SMAG), Kota Marudu, earned the selection following his progress in athletics and will compete in three events at the prestigious championship.
He will represent Sabah in the 200-metre hurdles, 4x100m relay and 4x400m relay, with the young athlete determined to give his best and contribute towards the State’s challenge at national level.
Jovett’s selection is also a source of pride for SMAG and the local community, particularly as it highlights the potential of young athletes from rural areas to compete alongside some of the country’s best school athletes.
For the school community, his achievement serves as an encouragement to other students to pursue excellence not only in academics but also in sports and other areas of talent.
His mother, Hanisah, said Jovett’s interest in athletics had been evident from a young age, with the family continuously encouraging him to develop his talent and pursue his sporting ambitions.
“Jovett has been interested in athletics since he was young. I always pray for the best for him. I hope he can give his best and not give up easily,” she said.
She said the family would continue to support and encourage him as he takes on the challenge of competing at the national level.
For Jovett, the opportunity represents an important step in his development as a young athlete, while also placing greater responsibility on him to represent Sabah to the best of his ability.
His athletics coach, Benlee Sanior, described Jovett as a disciplined athlete with a strong fighting spirit and a serious commitment to training.
He said talent alone was not enough to succeed in competitive sports, stressing that an athlete also needed consistent training, commitment and mental strength to deal with the pressures and challenges of competition.
“Jovett is a disciplined athlete and has a high fighting spirit. I am confident he can give his best performance at MSSM. Keep working hard and do not be afraid to compete,” he said.
Benlee said competing at the national level would provide Jovett with valuable exposure and experience that could help him further develop his potential and build greater confidence as a young Sabah athlete.
The MSSM platform will also allow him to measure himself against athletes from other states, giving him an opportunity to learn from higher-level competition and gain experience that could prove valuable in his future sporting development.
Jovett’s selection has meanwhile generated pride among the SMAG community, with teachers and fellow students viewing his achievement as an inspiration for others to pursue their own ambitions.
The school community has also extended its prayers and support for Jovett, hoping that he will remain in good health and be physically and mentally prepared throughout his training and competition.
They also hope he will be protected from injury as he prepares to take on the demanding schedule of three events.
For a young athlete from Kota Marudu, the MSSM 2026 selection represents more than just a personal milestone.
It is an opportunity to carry the hopes of his family, school and community while showing that young talents from Sabah’s rural areas can also make their mark on the national sporting stage.
With the support of his family, coach and school community behind him, Jovett now faces the challenge of turning his hard work and determination into his best performance when he steps onto the MSSM stage.
