Sambo insist there is grassroots development
sports — sambo and kurash — are hoping against hope that the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) will send their exponents to the Manila Sea Games.
Sambo is a Russian martial arts and combat sport while kurash refers to a number of folk wrestling styles practiced in Central Asia. Both will make their debut at the Manila Games.
OCM president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria had said that Malaysia’s kurash and sambo squads are on the verge of being left out of this year Philippines Sea Games as grassroots development is more important than the number of medals won.
And Sambo Malaysia secretary general Susan Cheah is ready to prove that there has been grassroots development.
“We have grassroots development all over Malaysia and next year, we will be organising our national junior and senior sambo and kurash championships.
“Prior to the national meet, we will organise coaching and refereeing seminars. We also plan to send our candidates for international accreditation,” said Susan.
“The sambo and kurash teams will compete in the World Masterships in South Korea in September and also attend a short training camp there.
“Selected kurash athletes will also compete in the XIV International Tournament dedicated to the memory of Al-Hakim at Termiziy for the prize of the President of Uzbekistan.”
They will also send a team to the World Championships in South Korea on Nov 7-11.
“The sport is moving forward as we have received two sets of competition mats, 100 sets of uniform as well as 20 sets of combat gear from the International Sambo Federation,” said Susan.
“As for kurash, the International Kurash Association had sent the Sea Games tournament director here in February to assist us in the development of coaching and refereeing. We also received 20 sets of yaktak (uniforms) as gift.
“So, we have been active at the grassroots and national levels. We will make another appeal to OCM to consider our case.”
Sambo Malaysia are ready to send their athletes to the Sea Games under category B2 (self funded and will not claim reimbursement even if medals are won).