Bangkok training for 17 taekwondo coaches, athletes

KOTA KINABALU: Some 17 officials and athletes of the Master Barry Taekwondo Club Sabah are taking part in a training camp in Bangkok, Thailand, this week.

Club coach Rusfredy Tokan Petrus said MBVTCS were attending the five-day event (April 25-29) as invitees.

He said they received a letter from the organisers, Nacha Taekwondo Team, inviting them to the event.

Aside from the training camp, Rusfredy said MBVTCS would also be taking part in the Sopama Pattana Taekwondo Invitational Championship on April 28.

“We organised our own training camp programme last year and invited several coaches from Thailand,” said the former national coach in a statement, yesterday.

“And now we are reciprocating by sending a 17-member team to support their event,” Rusfredy added.

According to Rusfredy, some of the expenses were supported by the organiser, while the athletes' parents and coaches were responsible for paying the other costs.

He said the objective of joining the training camp and tournament was to help MBVTCS' coaches and athletes improve their performance by gaining exposure.

“At the same time, it is also a platform for our members to gain experience as this is their first time to attend training and compete outside the country,” Rusfredy said.

“The training camp programme is led by organising chairman Ryan Chong. The former national exponent and Thai national junior team coach will be assisted by coach Peerathep Sila On,” he added.

Accompanying the MBVTCS athletes in this stint are team managers Rayner Gauner and Ricky Sandar as well as coaches Joseph Kung, Josephine Kung and Florencia Kosmas.