PENAMPANG: The third edition of the North Borneo Open Karate-Do Championship (NBO2026) continued to draw attention after attracting more than 1,200 participants, further strengthening its potential as a high-impact sports and sports tourism platform in Sabah.
The four-day international championship, which concluded on Sunday at the Penampang Cultural Centre, recorded steady growth in participation since its introduction in 2024.
More than 900 participants took part in the inaugural edition, followed by over 1,100 in 2025, and then more than 1,200 this year.
NBO2026 Organising Chairman and Sabah Shitoryu Association President Gesiri Gambung said the growth reflected continued support from the local and international karate community.
“From humble beginnings three years ago, NBO has continued to grow not only in terms of participation, but also in the friendships, opportunities and impact it has created.
“For us, NBO is more than just a karate tournament. We want it to create an impact through four main pillars – karate, tourism, youth development and the local economy,” he said when contacted on Tuesday.
The championship also received support from Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick, who contributed RM30,000 towards the organisation of NBO2026.
Gesiri described the contribution as a meaningful boost, particularly after Ewon witnessed the scale of the championship, its international participation, spectator attendance and its impact on Penampang and Sabah.
At the same time, NBO2026 also served as a platform for organisers to voice their support for efforts to include karate in the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) competition calendar, which they believe would provide more opportunities for young people to develop their talents in the sport.
Gesiri said they appreciated the efforts of Datuk P. Thiagu in championing the aspiration and welcomed Ewon’s support for the proposal.
He said that recognising karate under MSSM could further strengthen grassroots athlete development.
“Karate is not only about producing champions. It also builds discipline, confidence, character and respect among the younger generation.
“If we want to build the future of karate, we must start with young people, and there is no better place to begin than in schools,” he said.
NBO2026 also strengthened its sports tourism element with international participants from Hong Kong, Brunei, the Philippines and Nepal, in addition to teams from Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah.
The combination of sports and culture was also highlighted through the appearance of NBO Warriors, who accompanied contingents into the arena dressed in traditional KadazanDusunMurut attire and accompanied by the official NBO song.
The success of NBO2026 was also supported by the Sabah Tourism Board, which contributed RM10,000 towards the championship, particularly to link sports with tourism and to promote Sabah to participants from outside the State.
Organisers have confirmed that the championship will return for its fourth edition, with NBO2027 scheduled to take place from Sept 16 to 19, 2027, at the Penampang Cultural Centre.
“We have completed the first three years of our journey, but a new chapter begins from here. The medals may have been won, but our journey continues. See you at NBO2027,” Gesiri said.