Archers in Sibu inch closer to the mark
SIBU: This is a jolly good season for Sibu Division Archery Association (SDAA) as they wrapped up an eventful year. Its members have been active competing in local, state and national-level competitions.
“Our performance, achievements and the popularity of the sport this year had improved tremendously compared to the previous years. Hopefully, next season, we will continue to ride hide on the wave of euphoria that had swept across the archery fraternity here,” said SDAA secretary Eric Tiong Chiong King.
He believes more glad tidings await the archers as SDAA have proposed an Archery Range for them.
The venue for the range has not been decided as yet.
“I am confident that the development of archery here will embark on a new dimension once we have our own archery range next year. The players will have a place to conduct their own training and this will certainly boost their standard,” Tiong said.
He also stressed the importance of a concerted effort and cooperation from all those involved with the sport. We also look forward to work closely and in collaboration with Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) for the betterment of the sport.”
Tiong said SDAA has been rather aggressive and pro-active with a host of activities staged throughout the year.
The Basic Archery Coaching Course was organised in January, followed by the National Archery Coaching Course Level in March, the 1st Royal B Honey monthly student archery shootout in April and Sibu Division Inter-Schools archery contest in May.
The inter-school competition attracted a record 81 players from nine schools, signifying that the sport is fast gaining popularity among the students.
“Once we can tap the grassroots, the rest will be easy,” Tiong added.
Then there was the in-house archery shootout and the Sibu Student Indoor Archery Open in Sept which was won by Miri’s Liew Yu Jie after he outdid his elder brother Yu Wui in the final showdown.
The highlight of the year was the 13th Sarawak Indoor Archery Championship in November which attracted 161 archers from 11 teams, including one from Malacca.
Miri’s X-Tune, powered by several seasoned players, collected four gold, three silver and one bronze to lift the Dato Seri Tiong King Sing Challenge Cup for a second consecutive year.
In the individual section, Sibu also produced two outstanding players.
At the Inter-division Schools Competition held in Miri in July, Jacky Sung won three silver medals in 1st Ranking Round, Elimination Round and Boys U18 Team Event and a Bronze medal in Overall Ranking Round.
Aaron Loh won a silver in the Boys U18 Team Event and was placed fourth in the Overall Ranking Round.
David Lau also won one silver medal in the Boys U18 Team Event while Abang Fitri and Amy Wong were placed fourth in the U15 Mixed Doubles.
Jacky and Aaron were picked to represent Sarawak’s U18 Team for MSSM in Terengganu in August.
SDAA was also tasked to take part in the central zone selection for Sarawak Games (Suksar).
“Our development programmes are reaping dividends and we are confident of making things happen as we continue to work hard and aim high for the titles in the archery competitions.”
More activities have been drawn up for next year. The Sarawak Open Outdoor Archery Championship will be held here in March and the national-level championship in August.
Other activities will include the coaching course, the 2nd Royal Honey-B shootout and the student quarterly shootout.
“With the collective and cohesive roles contributed by all those involved in the archery fraternity, I believe it’s just a matter of time before Sibu can flex its muscles in the archery sport,” Tiong said.
I am confident that the development of archery here will embark on a new dimension once we have our own archery range next year. — Eric Tiong Chiong King, SDAA secretary