Watch skill and stamina as various groups pit their might against each other in this colourful lion dance competition and celebration to usher in the Chinese New Year.
Kota Kinabalu turns 8 this year and year-on-year the party gets bigger and bigger. Prepare yourself for the party of the year as Kota Kinabalu’s people get together to celebrate 8 years of city status.
During February grab the chance to savor durian, tarap, rabutan and other local fruits along with traditional food from the diverse ethnic groups of sabah, every Tuesday and Thursday at the Monospiad Village, just outside of Kota Kinabalu.
Each year a memorial service is held to remember those who gave their lives during the Second World War skirmishes fought on Borneo.
Frisbee might not be new to the world, but it’s only been since about two months ago that the popular plastic pie dish has been thrown around the greens of Kota Kinabalu.
Every Sunday since then, the group has gotten together to play the game of Ultimate Frisbee and interest has steadily grown. The group now averages up to 30 Frisbee players per session.
The history of the Frisbee, albeit not as we know it today, dates back as far as the 1940’s. The first permutation of the flying disc was a pie tin, flung about for fun, not unlike what it is today. The first plastic mold that could be recognised as the modern Frisbee, was cast in 1957 and has since sold more than basketballs, baseballs and footballs put together.
The game of Ultimate Frisbee is, however, more than throwing around a plastic disc. The game is played between two opposing teams, each consisting of 7 members, which could be a mix of gender. The playing field measures roughly 70m long by 35m wide, with end-zones either side extending another 20 meters out.
Both teams start out on the edge of their respective end-zones, facing each other. The first team launches the Frisbee towards the other who will be the attackers. The aim of Ultimate Frisbee is to make it into the opposing end-zone, Frisbee in hand.
When the attacker has the Frisbee, they are not allowed to move. Pivoting on one foot is allowed, but no moving away from the spot where the Frisbee was caught. The attacker has to launch the Frisbee within a ten-count, which the guarding defender will count down. Through a series of passes the end-zone is reached and a point is scored.
If the Frisbee goes to ground by being dropped, missed or knocked down by a defender, possession turns around and the defenders become the attackers. Turn-around also takes place if the attacker fails to launch the Frisbee within the ten-count.
Ultimate Frisbee games, even at tournament level, are not marshaled and it’s through the spirit of the game that players call their own fouls, sometimes even on themselves. With this in mind it’s easy to see why the number one rule in Ultimate Frisbee is ‘The Spirit of the Game’.
Due to the lack of suitable playing fields, Ultimate Frisbee in Kota Kinabalu is played on a slightly smaller area, which makes for action packed games. Games take place on Sundays at 4pm, and the average Ultimate Frisbee session will last for about 2 hours. During the game of 7 aside, a rotation system is in place where whoever gets tired is replaced by whoever is eagerly waiting on the sidelines. With fast paced action and lots of energy spilled, swap-outs occur regularly, ensuring everybody gets some playing time.
Currently the venue for Kota Kinabalu’s Ultimate Frisbee games is the rugby field in Tanjung Aru, immediately adjacent Terminal 2 at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Every is welcome to come watch or play, regardless of age and gender. If you can run, catch and laugh if you happen to slip, then Ultimate Frisbee will be a fun game to join. The ability to throw is optional, that comes with practice.
Ken is also always the willing teacher and regularly conducts short, mini-clinics on some technical aspects of the game, namely effective strategies and throwing techniques. But there is no replacement for practice.
So rain or shine, she you on the rugby field in Tanjung Aru on Sundays for a game of Ultimate Frisbee in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
