Vero's being acknowledged

DAILY EXPRESS NEWS A big loss to Sabah's sports fraternity
18 June, 2008


Kota Kinabalu: The untimely death of taekwondo exponent, Veronieta Antau Stephen is certainly a big loss to Sabah's sports fraternity.



Veronieta, 25, died on the spot on Monday after her Kancil rammed into a 45-seater bus at Km32 Jalan Ranau-Kota Kinabalu, about one kilometre from Nabalu town. It was learnt that she was on her way to Ranau where she was teaching at SM Agama Abdul Rahim Ali when the mishap occurred at 4.30pm.

A degree holder in Education specifically in science (mathematics-physics) from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), she was scheduled to teach the next day.

A prayer service would be held at her parents' house located behind the Petronas gas station in Berungis, Tuaran 12 noon on Wednesday (June 18) before her burial at Kampung Tambalugu Christian Cemetery at 1pm.

President of United Sabah Taekwondo Association (Usta), Dato' David Chong Ket Sui described Veronieta as a highly disciplined trainee as well as determined and gusty in her personal life.

"It is certainly a big loss to Sabah and to the entire taekwondo fraternity.

We would like to offer our condolence to her family and pray that her soul would be blessed by God," he said. Veronieta started dabbling in taekwondo since she was 10 and represented Sabah when she was 14 and subsequently won gold medals in National Youth Championships in 1997, 1998 and 1999. In 2000, she qualified to compete in a senior championship that saw her winning a bronze medal.

When Sabah hosted the Malaysian Games (Sukma) in 2002, she contributed a gold medal to the State's contingent. The following year she won a bronze medal in a national championship and a silver medal in the 2004 Sukma in Negeri Sembilan. In 2005, she improved by winning the gold medal in the national championship before winning a silver medal in Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia.

She continued her prowess in the sport by winning the gold medal in the Malaysia Universities Games in 2006. She was reigning champion for three years (2004-2006) in UMS Taekwondo Open Championship.

However, last year, she had to reduce her participation in the sport due to her commitment and duty as a teacher. But several weeks ago, she told her friends that she intended to be active again so that she could represent Sabah in the Borneo Cup in Kuching, Sarawak in August and in the National Inter-Club Championship in Kuala Lumpur end of this year.

The fifth among five female siblings, she won the Tuaran level Unduk Ngadau in 2003 and fourth place in the state level Unduk Ngadau the same year before winning the state level Unity Ambassador Beauty Queen contest in 2005.

Her father, Stephen, thanked those who have helped in arranging the funeral including Youth and Sports Assistant Minister Jahid Jahim, Kota Belud Hospital, police and Fire and Rescue Department.

He also recorded his appreciation to relatives, friends and acquaintances who came to pay their last respect to Veronieta.