Traditional Games Steal The Show At National Unity Week 2026 In Sabah

By Rohana Nasrah

KOTA KINABALU, June 12 (Bernama) -- Rainy weather this afternoon did not dampen the spirits of visitors from various communities who turned up in large numbers for the National Unity Week 2026 celebration at the Likas Sports Complex here, taking part in a range of activities, including traditional sports and games.

A Bernama survey found that activities such as ‘gasing’ (top spinning), ‘terompah gergasi’ (giant wooden clogs), coconut bowling, coconut shell clogs and tin can throw not only enlivened the atmosphere but also provided an opportunity for the public, particularly the younger generation, to learn about traditional games and sporting heritage.

The activity area received an encouraging response from visitors attending with their families, with some taking a trip down memory lane through traditional games that were once among their favourites during childhood.

Hotel employee Zulkifli Mohamad, 37, was among the visitors who did not miss the opportunity to play gasing at the traditional sports area.

“I have not played gasing for 20 years, since Year Six. It has been a long time. It is enjoyable because it brings back memories. My children also watched and played with the tops. It gives them exposure because they have never seen this game before,” he told Bernama.

Meanwhile, Zulkifli said such activities should be continued as an initiative to expose younger generations to the uniqueness and enjoyment of traditional games and sports.

“Today’s generation is different from the previous generation. We did not have gadgets, and these traditional games were our activities. It is good to revive them to cultivate interest among young people in the games enjoyed by earlier generations,” he said.

Another visitor, Norhayati Mohd Yusof, 37, said traditional games and sports not only provided a fun experience but also taught the values of teamwork and unity.

Citing terompah gergasi as an example, Norhayati said the game required every team member to move in unison to ensure the group’s success.

“It teaches us to work together. That is the principle of unity being instilled through this activity,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sabah National Unity and Integration Department director Rina Ab Harun said the inclusion of traditional sports in the National Unity Week 2026 celebration provided an opportunity for the public to relive the enjoyment of such activities.

Speaking to Bernama, Rina said traditional sports and games such as blowpipe shooting, sepak manggis, gasing, congkak, batu seremban, hopscotch and draughts remained close to the hearts of the people.

She said the activities also allowed the younger generation to experience first-hand traditional sports and games that formed part of the culture of earlier communities.

The National Unity Week 2026 celebration, organised by the National Unity Ministry, will run for four days until Sunday under the theme “Bersama Membina Negara Bangsa”.

The programme, one of the main highlights under the Kembara Perpaduan flagship initiative, is scheduled to be officially launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA