TENOM: July 25, 2026 – The 30th MABA-MATRIX National Basketball Championship, held in Tenom for the first time, has drawn an overwhelming response from fans.
The success underscores the district’s potential as a venue for national-level events and paves the way for a series of sports, agriculture, fisheries and tourism programmes from August to November, which are expected to stimulate the local economy.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar, who is also the Melalap assemblyman, expressed gratitude to MABA and SABA for selecting Tenom as the host.
“This is the first time a national basketball championship has been held in Tenom, and the reception has been tremendous,” he told reporters after officiating the tournament on Friday night.
“We hope there will be more such events in the future so that more activities can take place in Tenom,” he added.
Jamawi outlined other major programmes scheduled from August to November.
From 3 to 7 August, Tenom will host the Sabah State Under-16 Football Championship.
From 12 to 20 September, the Flower Festival will take place at the Sabah Agriculture Park, followed by the state-level Love Our River Programme on 26 September.
In October, Tenom will host Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen’s Day along with the Sabah State Camping Programme.
The series will conclude with a Food Festival in November.
“We hope all these programmes will not only enliven the Tenom district but also boost the local economy through increased visitor arrivals and business activities,” he said.
Also present were Tenom member of parliament Riduan Rubin, Sabah Basketball Association president Phan Chee Yong, and organising committee chairman Chu Cheong Sin.
