Sabah aims to become global sport tourism destination via SIFT

The Sabah International Fishing Tournament (SIFT) 2026 has concluded, marking the event's return after a hiatus since 2018. The four-day competition involved 195 registered anglers across 21 boats, competing for a total prize pool of RM47,800.

Sabah's Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment, Datuk Jafry Ariffin, stated that the tournament serves as a strategic platform to establish the state as a premier international destination for sport tourism, specifically within the fishing segment. He highlighted Sabah's marine biodiversity, extensive coastlines, and islands as key assets for this niche market.

Beyond tourism, the initiative is expected to provide economic benefits to various sectors, including hospitality, food and beverage, transportation, boat operators, and local fishing equipment retailers. The Minister also emphasized that fishing development must align with marine conservation efforts, encouraging anglers to assist the government in reporting illegal fishing activities.