By MOHD IZHAM B. HASHIM
PENAMPANG: Young people have been urged to embrace sports to adopt a healthier lifestyle, foster unity, and open doors to entrepreneurship.
Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Datuk Ewon Benedick, emphasized that “the value of organizing sports competitions not only unearths new talents but also plays a crucial role in fostering unity, teamwork, and friendship among the people.”
Officiating the 2025 National Boxing Championship at the Sabah Cultural Centre in Penampang, Ewon highlighted how sports provide a platform to promote healthy competition, enhance understanding, build camaraderie, and strengthen national unity.
“My presence here signifies support for sports as a platform for unity, friendship, and togetherness among the people, while also nurturing national boxing athletes, particularly from Sabah,” he stated.
During the event, organized by the Malaysian Boxing Federation, Ewon also represented the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hannah Yeoh, presenting a mock cheque for an RM170,000 allocation from the Ministry of Youth and Sports as a grant for the championship.
Ewon further detailed how his ministry supports young entrepreneurs in the sports industry through various funding facilities.
“Among the options available is the Sports Industry Financing Scheme under Bank Rakyat. Additionally, TEKUN Nasional provides funding for small entrepreneurs in the gymnasium and sports equipment businesses,” he explained.
He added that “youth cooperatives engaged in business can also apply for grants from the Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission (SKM), provided they are properly registered and conducting legitimate cooperative business activities.”
Among those who attended the event includes President of Malaysia Boxing Federation, Datuk Iruan Zulkefli and President of the Sabah Amateur Boxing Association (SABA), Datuk Orlando Harumal.
