By Lester J. Bingkasan
Weightlifting C’ship good exposure for participants — SWA
KOTA KINABALU: The National Invitational Weightlifting Championship at the Manggatal Hall from December 13-17 is a good platform to exposestate athletes to top level competition.
This will eventually greatly help in the development of young athletes in particular as Sabah Weightlifting Association (SWA) looked to build for the future apart from excelling at the championship.
Its president Philip Gisan said Sabah would include athletes groomed for major eventssuch as the Malaysia Games (Sukma).
“It is an opportunity to feature the young athletes to compete against top weightlifters from 13 MWF (Malaysia Weightlifting Federation) affiliates as well as Putrajaya and the Armed Forces.
“Singapore too will be sending their weightlifters so the competition will be very tough,” said Philip who added that a six-day Weightlifting Technical and Coaching Course will also take place at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex in Likas here from December 4-9.
Philip said this during a courtesy call on Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Masiung Banah at Wisma Muis here yesterday.
Sabah Sports Council director Terrance Pudin and SWA committee members were also present.
Meanwhile, the ministry has pledged its support with expected additional assistance for SWA to host the championship, which is expected to involve more than 100 athletes.
At the same time, however, Masiung also advised associations to make efforts to source for their own funds and not be too dependent on the ministry.
Masiung went on to express his hope that SWA would continue the good work that has put Sabah to be among the top state to be reckoned with in weightlifting.
“It is my hope that the association will continue to identify new athletes and to train them to fulfil their potential,” he said while assuring the state government through his ministry wasvery serious in developing sports in the state.