Sitting volleyball players told to win gold for Asiad spot
THE national sitting volleyball team have been given a tall order for the Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games.
The players have been told to aim for the gold medal as it will allow them to qualify for the Asian Para Games in Jakarta next year.
“It’s going to be tough. First, we have to deal with Myanmar and Thailand – the strongest two teams in sitting volleyball,” said team manager Margaret Durant.
“But this time we are better prepared. The National Sports Council (NSC) have been very supportive in providing us with accommodation, transportation and the training venue. In the past, there was no support at all. This is our biggest opportunity.”
Work to assemble the team began last year and the selection process was done over three circuits. More than 80 players turned up for each circuit. They selected 26 players before gradually trimming it to 18 and finally 12.
Team coach Ahmad Musthakim Kamarukman said the 12 players have been training since March.
“We have done all that needs to be done. We have been together for six months. We can see the chemistry among the players. There is a good chance we can improve on the bronze medal won in 2009 in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
The four-team round-robin competition – comprising Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and host Malaysia – will be held at the Malaysian International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MiTEC) from Sept 17-23.
The national team will be led by Harman Halion of Sabah. This will be the skipper’s fourth Games outing.
Malaysia won a bronze at KL 2009. In the 2011 Games in Solo, Indonesia, they lost in the semi-finals.
Malaysia did not compete at Myanmar 2013.