Sabah swimmers ramp up training for Sukma
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Aquatic Sports Association (SASA) stepped up their athletes’ preparation with a special training programme to face the 19th Malaysia Games (Sukma) in September.
A five-day training camp were conducted for selected Sukma swimmers at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex Aquatic Centre in Likas near here as well as the Sutera Harbour Marina Club from June 18-22.
“This special training programme for swimmers will help them to prepare physically and mentally (in order) to strive for higher level.
“It is also to promote teamwork and strong sport spirit among athletes and coaches,” SASA president Anthony Kiob said in a statement to the press yesterday.
The swimmers were exposed to yoga exercise, dryland and gym training conducted by ISN personnel during the camp, Kiob disclosed.
“The coaches will continue to monitor their progress and prop them up for Sukma that Perak will host in September,” he added.
The athletes involved in the camp were from Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan as well as Sabah swimmers based in Johor.
They are Hollymax Bell, Isaac Pan, Lo Jun Yi, Kuin Jiu Jun, Gerard Tsen Xiang Zhi, Lai Qian Ying, Chu Xin Ying, Janetty John Fabian, Ilyani Shairah Mohammad, Sharifah Destinee, Lovell Wong Hsiao Thang, Cheng Ka Man, Lo Meng Sum, Loo Yie Bing and Yong Zi Yi.
Kiob also revealed that the state Sukma diving team will also arrange a one-month intensive training in Negeri Sembilan starting from July 16.
The divers for the intensive training include Julfaddli Jali, Nurfazriyanti Jali and Nur Ain Binti Nadzmi.
“Jellson Jabilin and Gabriel Daim, who are the 2017 SEA Games medallists, will continue their training with the national squad in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
Meanwhile, Xin Ying and Janetty have been selected to represent the country in the 42nd South East Asia (SEA) Age-Group Swimming Championship from July 6-9 in the Philippines and 10th Asian School Games (ASG) from July 19-27 in Selangor, respectively.
Thirteen-year-old Xin Ying will be among the 27-swimmer squad selected by the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) where she will compete in freestyle events for 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m as well as the 200m breaststroke.
As for Janetty, her strong performance at the National Schools (MSSM) championship led to her call up for the ASG where she will compete in the 50m backstroke event
“With Xin Ying and Janetty’s performance, I hope they would help to motivate other up and more to take up the sport,” said Kiob while congratulating the both of them for their selections.
Towards this end, he also expressed thanks to the Youth and Sports Ministry, Sabah Sports Council (SSC) and ASUM for the continuous support and opportunities given for aquatic sports.
He also extended his appreciation to all the swimming and diving coaches who had worked tirelessly to train the swimmers and divers.