The late Ceril Yapp
KOTA KINABALU (March 2): The Sabah athletics fraternity is in mourning following the passing of experienced coach Ceril Christopher Yapp on Saturday.
Ceril was surrounded family members, peers and his students when he breathed his last at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital II at 8:51pm.
He was 70 years old.
The late Ceril was one of the longest serving coaches and a prominent figure in the state track and field scenes.
He had trained and produced many athletes that went on to represent the country at international meets.
“It is with great sadness to inform the passing of Sabah athletics coach (Cyril Yapp), who passed away yesterday (March 1) at Queen Elizabeth Hospital II.
“Our heartfelt condolences to his family,” Sabah Sports Council (MSN Sabah), to which Ceril was attached to from 2010 until 2024, posted on its official Facebook page.
Tuaran Athletics Club (TAC) president Victor Suan described Ceril’s passing as a great loss to Sabah athletics.
“‘I was under coach Sulaiman (Arman) but we always travelled together to competitions in the past.
“This guy was very misunderstood by other people. In fact, he was very passionate about the sport and he devoted his life to athletics that he did not get married and he even used up all his money to buy sports equipment and proteins for his athletes.
“He had produced many athletes too such as sprinters Eddie Edward Jr and Sport Sunarno as well as (discus thrower) Sean Teo,” Victor said when contacted on Sunday.
Victor also informed that Ceril was one of the recipients of the appreciation award presented during the TAC-organised 4th Tuaran Athletics Championship in Likas in January.
“I’m glad we did this before he died,” added Victor who said the award was to honour and appreciate the coaches’ dedication for the sport.
A well-respected coach, Ceril’s love for the sports had no barriers as despite suffering from heart conditions, he continued to train his students until a few months ago when his condition got worse.
In his younger days, Ceril was among the top track athletes where he was the national school champion in the 110m hurdles in early 70s.
Outside of track and field events, he also excelled in karate where he was multiple national champions in the Kumite open category back in the 80s.
He also represented the country in the 1987 SEA Games in Jakarta where be contributed a bronze for the national contingent.