Sabah women’s sepak takraw squad gear up for Sukma
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah women’s squad will undergo training in the land of sepak takraw powerhouse Thailand as they look to enhance their preparation for the Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2018.
The 15-player squad will leave for Nakhon Pathom tomorrow for a three-week training stint until June 12 before returning home for the Hari Raya celebration.
The Sabah women, who are the defending three-gold medallists, will then go for a second stint for around one month in Thailand starting June 20 until the end of July.
“With the fullest commitment from team officials and coaches as well as strong support from the Youth and Sports Ministry who granted 90 per cent of our requests, we will do our utmost best to bring glory to the state in Sukma,” Sabah Sepak Takraw Association (Astaka) president Datuk Hj Awang Sham Hj Amit told reporters.
He said this when receiving a visit by newly appointed Youth and Sports Minister Frankie Poon to the squad’s training session at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex in Likas near here yesterday.
Also present were permanent secretary to the ministry Datuk Hj Awang Damit Hj Awang Amat, Sabah Sports Council (MSN Sabah) director Terrance Pudin, Sabah Sports Board chairman Datuk Louis Rampas, deputy general manager Asneh Mohd Noor and Astaka honorary treasurer Hj M. Sapawae M. Hj Tussin.
Awang Sham added that they have set a target of four gold in Sukma 2018, which Perak will be hosting in September.
He said he was quite confident of achieving the target based on the squad’s progress in the last three months, which saw them win two of the Road-To-Sukma circuits.
“I’m satisfied with the preparation of the women’s team which included a threemonth training in Ranau as well as taking part in two circuits.
“In the first circuit in Kuala Lumpur, it was a Sabah vs Sabah final while in the second ciruit, it was Sabah vs Terengganu... the third circuit will be held in August.
“Based on that, I’m quite confident of the four-gold target. We will defend the three gold won (in Sarawak Sukma 2016) and try our best in the new Quadron event.
“Once again, we will be banking on our women players to deliver the results,” he added.
Meanwhile, Awang Sham said they would also be sending the men’s team comprising 10 players to Sukma, but they will only be entered in selected events.
“However, they (men’s team) are not going to Thailand,” he said.
The Sabah Sukma women full squad are Nadillatul Rosmahani Saidin, Ellzah Blanda @ Bahari, Siti Zulaiha Zain, Mardiana Sharifuddin, Madziatul Rosmahani Saidin, Elija Thomas, Nur Fateha Rossli, Siti Hadinavillah Jumidil, Roslina Aloysius, Lianah Arip, Juridah Suan, Nur Faizah Mohamad, Kamisah Khamis, Razmah Anam and Nurfaezahni Masri.
The team managers are Roslie Ibrahim and Malai Effendy Malai Muhamad, coaches Daut Amba and Suthep Chantranusorn, team chaperon Rinah Arip and MSN Sabah sepak takraw coordinator DG Siti Anne Nooraini Abu Bakar.