TAMBUNAN: The Lee Kiong Dragon & Lion Dance Association Sabah emerged victorious in the 2025 Dato Victor P. Paut Cup Lion Dance High Pole Competition, held at the Tambunan Community Hall on April 19, 2025.
This win earned them a cash prize of RM5000, along with a medal and a participation certificate.
The Subang’s Lion Dance Club team secured the runner-up position, receiving RM2000, a medal, and a participation certificate.
The third place was claimed by the Sabah Chung Seng Naga Lion Dance Association team, who were awarded RM1000, a medal, and a participation certificate.
The prizes were presented by Datuk Victor P. Paut, the Division Head of Tambunan Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah and the main sponsor of the event.
A total of 21 teams competed in this inaugural tournament in the Tambunan District since Merdeka, organized by the Dragon and Lion Dance Association (Sheng Feng) in partnership with the Hong Teik Dragon and Lion Dance Association of Malaysia.
The 18 other teams that participated in the tournament consisted of Sabah Hong Guan Lion & Dragon Dance Association, Teo Chew Tawau Lion Dance Troupe, Sabah Kin Ket Lion & Dragon Dance Association, Kg Tatahan Kionsom Inanam Sports and Recreation Club, Sabah Lim SiewThien Dragon & Lion Dance, Tawau Sabah Arts and Sports Cultural Organisation, Sabah Fatt Chun Lion Dance Association, Papar Hong Theng Dragon & Lion Dance Club, SJK (C) Yuk Chin Tawau Sabah Lion Dance Association, Dragon & Lion Dance (Feng Sheng) Tambunan Sabah, Nan Bang Lion Dance, Tian Fa Wei Ling Tian Fa Kung Keningau God Believers Association, Dragon and Lion Dance Association A (Feng Sheng) Tambunan, Yuk Vhoi Lahad Datu Ex-Students Association, Thian You Sabah Dragon and Lion Dance Association, Chee Yee Khor Uplifting Society Lahad Datu, Hong Teck Lion Dance Club Kota Kinabalu and Keong Fatt Sabah Lion and Dragon Dance Association.
Victor, in his speech at the event, said that the tournament not only provides an opportunity for participants to appreciate the beauty of art and culture but also strengthens relationships between races, thus strengthening unity among communities of different races.
“Through events like this, we can see how important it is to appreciate the various cultures that exist and respect each other’s uniqueness,” he said, who was also the guest of honour and was given the honour of officiating the tournament’s opening ceremony.
He expressed his highest appreciation to the tournament organisers for having worked hard to ensure the event’s continuity.
Victor said that this tournament is not only about competition but also about strengthening the spirit of cooperation and introducing this tradition to the younger generation so that it is not forgotten.
“To the participants, I congratulate you on the enthusiasm and effort you have shown in preparing for this competition.
“I believe that you have all given your best performance and made this tournament a platform to show the talent and creativity that is within you,” he said.
While excited to be able to sponsor the tournament, he hoped that the tournament could continue in the future.
“Hopefully this tournament will be an event that benefits everyone, as well as further enrich the artistic and cultural treasures of Sabah,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ben Adner Basal Bullah Ganggal, organising Chairman of the Dato Victor P. Paut Cup 2025 Lion Dance High Pole Competition, expressed his appreciation and gratitude to Victor for his generosity in being the main sponsor of the Dato’ Victor Cup 2025 High-Pole Lion Dance Competition.
“It is also a big part of the history of organising this kind of competition, which is the first time it has been held in the Tambunan district since Sabah’s independence,” he said.
Ben Adner also expressed his gratitude to Master Siow Ho Phiew, who is the founder of the Hong Teik Malaysia Organisation, for giving his trust to the organising committee members in Tambunan to successfully implement this competition.
