ARCHERS FAIL TO MEET TARGET

Need more exposure to match rivals

MOHD FITRIE MUHAMAD

AND AZLAN MUHAMMAD ZAIN bhsukan@bh.com.my

THE national archery squad’s failure to meet their three gold target at the Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games highlights the need for them to be given more exposure at international level.

Archery team manager Paul Leong said such exposure will ensure they are able to cope with pressure situations such as the final of a competition.

“Before Para KL2017 we had gone to China, UAE, Thailand and the Czech Republic (for training and competitions) but it is not enough,” said Paul.

“They need more stints overseas as other countries are also sending their archers abroad.

“The competition in archery is quite open with many archers having a chance to win it.

“In addition to the skills and physical condition of the archers, the weather conditions on the day also play a big factor.

“Our archers have the desire and determination but it was not to be for us at Para KL2017.”

Paul admitted that mistakes by K. Morogen and Nor Sa’adah Abdul Wahab in the men’s and women’s individual compound finals cost them gold medals.

The duo, however, did well to bounce back and win the mixed team compound gold yesterday, Malaysia’s only gold in the sport at Para KL2017.

They need more stints overseas as other countries are also sending their archers abroad. The competition in archery is quite open with many archers having a chance to win it.