KOTA KINABALU: A total of 780 participants of the Kuala Lumpur 2017 Torch Run, held in conjunction with the upcoming 29th SEA Games and the ninth ASEAN Para Games KL2017 torch relay, have reached Kota Kinabalu to complete the West Coast leg.
They arrived in the state capital after covering six areas in Sabah.
The group was welcomed by Deputy Chief Minister and state Industrial Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah at Jesselton Point around 4.30pm.
Tan said Sabah was the fifth destination after Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Labuan.
“Kota Kinabalu is the seventh destination in the state after a successful run in several areas including Ranau, Keningau, Tawau, Sandakan, Kota Belud and Tuaran. They will head to Sipitang after this.
“A total of 21 runners representing major athletes and former athletes from Tuaran carried the torch in the run today,” he added.
Tan was speaking to the media after completing the torch relay from Jesselton Point to Segama Waterfront.
Also present was Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai.
Among the athletes who took part in the torch relay were Michelle Koh (karate), Sidim Sahak (triple jump), Aliudin Jumat (pole vault), Khairul Safwan Mansur (diving) and Rifine Tan (sailing).