M’sian wheelchair basketball team eyes one gold, one silver
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian wheelchair basketball team aims to net one gold medal and one silver medal in the 9th ASEAN Para Games (APG) in Kuala Lumpur from September 17 to 23.
Its team manager, Dr Chee Chen Soon said based on the training session, he was confident that the team would rise to the occasion.
He said the Malaysian wheelchair basketball team is in Iran for a nine-day training stint and competition.
“Last year, our preparation was more on fitness and physical. This year, we focus on strategy, technical and tactical aspects.
“While in Iran, the team will participate in some tournaments and training with some of the clubs. Iran is among the strong wheelchair basketball teams in Asia.
“They featured in 2016 Rio Paralympic Games and have several good clubs and facilities. We can learn about their strategies and pattern of the game,” he told Bernama.
Chee said after the Iran stint, the Malaysian team plans to participate in a tournament in South Korea in July to gauge its ability and standing at international level and start the final phase of preparation for the APG.
“For the final phase of training, the Iran team will come to Malaysia for several friendly matches. It is very important to be fully prepared for the APG.
“By early July, we will get back our former coach Abbas Aghakouchaki, who is in Iran. He will come back to prepare the team for APG and also for next year’s Asian Para Games in Indonesia,” he added.
The Malaysian wheelchair basketball team won silver medals, in the men’s team and 3-on-3 events, in the 8th APG in Singapore in 2015.