S’wak cricket team going for Sukma gold
KUCHING: Sarawak can bank on the 18 players in the cricket squad to reap gold at Sukma XIX in Ipoh, Perak from Sept 12 to 22.
Sarawak coach Suffyan Ali said the selected players were the best after undergoing various selection processes.
They are Mohd Amir Haris Mohd Imran, Mohammad Fathul Azim Faizal Abdul Aziz Faisal, Mior Muhammad Azri Mior Ahmad Shazali, Mohd Iqbal Abdul Rahman, Mohammad Amizzie Dzulkipli, Kenny Kuan Yang Cheng, Kelvin Kuan Yang Zhi, Muhammad Nasrullah, Ervin Kaik Ak Irex, Antonio Leno Losing, Padjar Hadar, Muhammad Fairuz Abdullah, Muhammad Syukri Madeli, Mohd Ikmal Gabin, Mohamad Azly Dahlan, Mohd Amizan Dzulkipli, Abdul Khalil Japar, Mohd Rafizul Radiman, Aairen Alam Chen Chun Kit and Muhammad Qhairuddin Mat.
“We have selected 18 players for the challenge and I am expecting that this squad is capable of bringing glory to the state,” said Suffyan who added that they are eyeing for gold in this Sukma.
He added that training would be intensified after the Gawai and Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations.
The squad are undergoing centralised training for four sessions a week at SMK Seri Setia as well as playing weekly matches at SK TASUDA Petra Jaya.
“Our preparations for Sukma XIX is going on smoothly and after the Hari Raya, we will intensify our preparations and focus on maintaining the performance and commitment of the players,” he said.
Suffyan said plans are also in the pipeline to bring the players for training and exposure stint outside the state depending on the decisions of the Sarawak State Sports Council and the Sarawak Cricket Association. The exposure stint would be done two weeks before Sukma. The squad are trained by Suffyan and Pakistani coach Mohamad Younis.