SANDAKAN: The Sandakan “Little Hong Kong” High Pole Lion Dance National Level Competition is set to go international next year, with organisers hoping to attract more overseas teams and strengthen the town’s position as a cultural tourism destination.
Sandakan Member of Parliament Vivian Wong Shir Yee said the competition, now in its fifth year, had grown from a local event into a nationally recognised platform for lion dance enthusiasts.
She said taking the competition to the international level would create greater opportunities for cultural exchange while bringing positive economic benefits to local businesses and the tourism industry.
Wong was speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Fifth Sandakan “Little Hong Kong” High Pole Lion Dance National Level Competition at the Sandakan Sports Complex, Sunday.
She noted that this year’s event attracted both returning participants and newcomers, including new judges, reflecting its growing recognition within the national lion dance community.
She said the competition’s success over the past five years was the result of collective efforts by the local Chinese community, sponsors, organising partners and volunteers.
Wong also shared the story behind the competition’s name, recalling that its inaugural edition five years ago was originally named after her.
However, she felt that a cultural and sporting event representing Sandakan should not bear an individual’s name but instead carry an identity that could be sustained for generations.
The competition was subsequently renamed the Sandakan “Little Hong Kong” Lion Dance Competition from its second edition, drawing inspiration from the town’s historical nickname.
“An individual’s name may not last forever, but the name ‘Little Hong Kong’ should live on. We hope this competition will continue to be held year after year,” she said.
Beyond providing a platform for lion dance teams to showcase their skills and exchange experiences, Wong said the organisers also wanted participants, coaches and supporters to explore Sandakan, sample its local cuisine and appreciate its cultural heritage.
To support this objective, the “Little Hong Kong” Food Festival was introduced during the competition’s third edition and has since become a complementary attraction.
She said combining sporting competition with food and cultural activities had broadened the event’s appeal and attracted greater public participation.
Based on preliminary visual estimates by the organising committee, attendance during peak hours this year could have reached approximately 3,000 people.
All 640 seats at the venue were occupied, while many spectators watched the competition from standing areas and the spectator stands.
The encouraging turnout had strengthened the organisers’ confidence in taking the competition onto the international stage next year.
However, Wong acknowledged that hosting an international high pole lion dance competition would require substantially greater financial resources.
She estimated that the organising budget could rise to two or three times the amount currently required for the national-level event.
Meanwhile, Chung Seng Lion and Dragon Dance Association emerged as champions, followed by Keong Fatt Sabah Lion and Dragon Dance Association (Team A) in second place and Sin Ong Kong Temple Lion Dance Troupe Labuan in third.