DBNA ready for closer ties with ministry

0
Ik Pahon (fourth right) receives the Dato Sri Michael Manyin Challenge Trophy from Manyin, as other committee members of the golf tournament look on.

Ik Pahon (fourth right) receives the Dato Sri Michael Manyin Challenge Trophy from Manyin, as other committee members of the golf tournament look on.

KUCHING: Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) is looking forward to work together with newly created Ministry of Youth and Sports and Solidarity on programmes benefiting the youths and promoting unity.

This was stated by its president Datu Ik Pahon Joyik when leading a DBNA delegation to pay a courtesy call on the newly appointed Minister of Youth and Sports and Solidarity Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong yesterday.

“We are eager to work with him in programmes for the youths. (One of them) is through sports, which is very important in nation building,” he said.

The DBNA delegation was meeting Manyin to brief him on the 12th World Bidayuh Golf Championship to be played at Samarahan Country Club this Saturday.

A total 76 players have registered for the competition which is mainly sponsored by Manyin.

The main trophies on offer are Dato Sri Michael Manyin Challenge Trophy and DBNA President Challenge Trophy.

Meanwhile, Manyin said he has not received his Terms of Reference (TOR) on his ministry but he believed its main objective is to promote unity through youth and sports activities.

He also spoke briefly about some of his plans for the ministry which he felt can be pursued once he had gone through the TOR.

On the World Bidayuh Golf Championship, he said he recalled being criticised for supporting such event but he felt his decision is now being justified.

“It is good for DBNA to organise a golf tournament like this which is played by the elites.

“In every community, there must be an elite group who can play a role in pulling others in the community to be successful as well,” he said, adding this is one of the ways for the elites to repay the community by supporting events by DBNA.

It was also announced by Ik Pahon yesterday that the prize giving ceremony will be held at the Baruk of the DBNA headquarters in late afternoon before proceeding to a pre-Gawai dinner also at the same venue.

Ik Pahon also disclosed that for the first time this year, a new category called Invited Guests will be introduced for the invited non-Bidayuh golfers.