We're getting closer to crowning the new Sabah State Unduk Ngadau winner for the year 2023. Who would it be out of the 50 Unduk Ngadau who contested in their respective district, and state, both in Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak. I am excited. Are you? Am sure many are as excited, or probably even more excited than I am. The Kaamatan festivity will climax with the announcement of the new Queen, as always.

Below are the list of Unduk Ngadau from their respective district/state (I am informed there should be 50 of them, and I seem to be missing some names):

1. Api-Api (DBKK): Donna Deidre Anak Philip
2. Banggi: Christine Ferra Jobiril
3. Beaufort: Juje Elor
4. Beluran: Suezilla Ovenna Suezlee
5. Johor: Veru Nikah Terunisip
6. Karambunai: Adelyn A Tillon
7. Kemabong: Clierriennika Sapudin
8. Keningau: Dealinah Alcy
9. Kinabatangan: Chellyana Tensu
10. Kiulu: Melni Dhial
11. Kota Belud: Rachel Aswena Gundang
12. Kota Marudu: Calby Floresa Dolinting
13. Kuala Penyu: Alvy Marcellah Guanli
14. Kudat: Abigail Vun Jia Ying
15. Kunak: Easter Kelly John Aloysius
16. Labuan: Crystal Vanessa John
17. Lahad Datu: Jodhrina Birig
18. Libaran: Andrea Roulind
19. Likas: Devey Grayc
20. Matunggong: Pui Xue Ni @ Ninie
21. Melaka: Christine Joan Charles
22. Membakut: Suzziereen Helly
23. Menumbok: Maira Christabelle Yapp
24. Nabawan: Suehaiveey
25. Pagalungan: Eryeka
26. Papar: Carol Abbey Gail
27. Paitan: Safikah Duing
28. Penampang: Galedine Lind Mosuyun
29. Perak: Celarin Jenny
30. Pitas: Efa Anniesyah Kambang
31. Putatan: Doreen Tony
32. Putrajaya: Marcerine Marcus
33. Ranau: Fiumie Chang Yee Ann
34. Sandakan: Audrey Jailin Tubong
35. Sarawak: Marylyn Velarie Bolovin
36. Semporna: Frecillabian Sobitun
37. Sipitang: ValessaSchiffer JP Francis
38. Sook: Evyanarey Larry
39. Tambunan: Clerice Olivia Augustine
40. Tamparuli: Rannysa Rachel Lee
41. Tawau: Angelina Ka
42. Telupid: Doren Olivia Gilbert
43. Tenom: Charizsha Delyn Ng
44. Tongod: Anika Isty Norman
45. Tuaran: Florina Wileh
46. Tungku: Jaqualine Sadan

In a press conference held at Sutera Harbour on Wednesday, Tindarama Joanna Datuk Kitingan, who is the chairperson of Sabah State Unduk Ngadau competition to be held on 30th and 31st May 2023 at the KDCA, or Hongkod Koisaan, said the cash prizes for the event is RM91,000. The total cost for all the prizes is not known at this time when I am writing this writeup.

Two educational institutions, ATI College and North Borneo University College (NBUC), will be giving away scholarships to study at their respective institute to the main winner. This year's winner will receive a sponsorship for diploma programme at ATI College, and will also receive RM1,000 cash from the college. NBUC will award the winner with a RM35,000 scholarship to study at their college, and RM3,000 in cash.

And there's more to their generosity.

ATI College is also offering all the State level Unduk Ngadau contestants sponsorship to take up their Diploma in Tourism programme (I asked twice, and thrice about this).

NBUC will also be giving the first runner up in the competition a RM30,000 scholarship and RM2,000 cash, and RM20,000 scholarship and cash of RM1,500 to the second runner up winner.

Joanna said they also received flight sponsorship from Maswings and Firefly. So this year's winner will stand to win a lot.

So do your best Unduk Ngadaus.