Sarawak’s young water polo players set to make waves on Asian stage
KUCHING: Five promising young water polo players from Sarawak have earned their spots in the national lineup for the upcoming 11th Asian Age Group Championships in the Philippines.
This marks their debut appearance in Asian scene, with the athletes, aged under 17, poised to showcase their skills against formidable competition from across the continent.
The five are Julius Abbas, Ong Zong Lian, Casper Tan, Bryan Lee and Presley Phang who represent the bright future of Sarawak’s water polo.
Ten countries, including China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia will be participating.
Head coach Voon Yong Hui expressed confidence in the players’ abilities, emphasising on their youth and potential for success in future tournaments.
Voon added that the team is also gearing up for upcoming competitions, including the Malaysia Age Group (MAG) in April.
He also revealed plans for an exposure and training trip to Perth, Australia, scheduled for the end of May to June.
The team’s busy schedule continues with participation in the 46th SEA Age Group Championships in Thailand in December.
Meanwhile, Sarawak’s water polo enthusiasts can anticipate exciting events on the local front, with the 3rd Kuching Invitational Water Polo Cup slated for November.
Acknowledging the crucial support from the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Voon expressed gratitude for their backing, which has facilitated the state team’s development and participation in prestigious competitions.
With preparations in full swing, the Sarawak water polo contingent is set to embark on centralised training in Bukit Jalil starting this Saturday.
As they hone their skills and teamwork, the players are on course to not only excel in upcoming tournaments but also aim for selection in future SEA Games editions.