State govt pledges continuous support for volleyball

KUCHING: The Sarawak government wil l continue to support volleyball associations in the state to promote and revive the glory days of volleyball.

One of the ways is to assist the associations to organise competitions at divisional and state level by providing some funding.

“We were the vol leybal l powerhouse in the 1970s and 1980s and Sarawak finished second in both the men’s and women’s volleyball at the Sarawak Sukma last year.

“Being second best is not good enough. We want to be the best and we want Sarawak volleyball to return to its glory days,” political secretary to the chief minister Tan Kai said on Wednesday night.

Tan was representing Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian at the opening ceremony of the 1st Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian Cup Volleyball Championship at MBKS Indoor Stadium in Pending.

According to Tan, volleyball is one of the most popular sports

Being second best is not good enough. We want to be the best and we want Sarawak volleyball to return to its glory days.

in Sarawak and it is no longer traditionally a ‘ Chinese sport’ because there are now many Bumiputeras also playing the game.

“Volleyball not only promotes team spirit and a healthy lifestyle but it is also a game that unites Sarawakians of all races and religions,” he pointed out.

He urged the participating teams to put friendship and sportsmanship above all as it is more important than winning the championship.

On behalf of Sim, Tan pledged that the championship organised by the Kuching Division Volleyball Association ( KDVA) wi l l be continued next year with support from the minister.

Earlier, KDVA president Tay Chang Seng was pleased to note the overwhelming response to the inaugural championship.

“It has been a very long time that so many teams - 27 of them including 13 women’s teams - are taking part in a volleyball championship.

“The competition has also attracted teams from all over the state including Mukah, Betong, Sarikei, Lundu, Kuching and Samarahan,” he added.

Tay also extended KDVA’s appreciation to Dr Sim for his strong support and Kuching South City Council ( MBKS) as well as Sesco for providing the venues for the competition that started on Monday and will end this Sunday.

Participating teams for the men’s category are IJM Land, PDRM, CV’S, Unimas, Mukah, Medicmix, PJVC, CHMS No 1, SVC (SIDMA), UiTM, Mega Electrical, Alumni MRSM Betong, Lundu, Politeknik Kuching while vying for top honours in the women’s category are UiTM, CHMS No 1, JLKN, Unimas, Camaraderie Erternally, Li Ting Sangat Gemuk ( LTSG), PDRM, Pol iteknik Kuching, Friendly, CV’S, Icarevc Mukah, PJVC and SVC (Sidma).

Tan Kai, political secretary to the chief minister