Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Women’s Softball Team received a timely boost ahead of this year’s Malaysia Games (Sukma) to be held in Selangor this August with a RM20,000 contribution from Guardians Sports and Academy.
The funding was formally handed over during a ceremony held at the Sabah Sports Council meeting room on Friday.
The State team this year will be represented by Livor Eagle Softball Club and its president Idham Shukri expressed his appreciation to Guardians Sports and Academy for their sponsorship support.
“The sponsorship from Guardians Sports and Academy today not only eases the financial aspects of our management, but it is also a clear message to our female athletes that they are not alone in bringing Sabah’s challenge to the Sukma 2026 stage,” he said after the ceremony.
The team are currently in centralised training here in the State capital from April 13 until April 22.
Idham Shukri said the training sessions involving 24 players are going smoothly starting with phase one at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex field B before proceeding to SMK Kinarut later, which according to him will provide more complete facilities including dormitories and training fields.
“Our approach mainly focuses on the team’s comprehensive development, including training, player selection and logistical support. This is to ensure the team will be at its best for the games, and of course, our main target is to be on the podium, whatever the medal colour,” he said.
He added that the current list of players aged between 15 and 20 were selected through three trials including one which was held in the Peninsula to ensure that players based outside the State are given a chance to contribute to the State team.
Meanwhile, Idham received the mock cheque from Guardian Sports and Academy representative Syed Redzal Hisham Syed Abdul Hamid at the ceremony was witnessed by Sabah Sports Council head of assistant directors Heirwan Shah Masri.
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