Sabah swimmers shine at national championships
It was a fruitful outing for Sabah swimmers at the ASUM/ NSC/ Milo Splash Swim Leg 1 Championships that was held at the National Aquatics Centre in Bukit Jalil, last month.
Sabah Aquatic Sports Association (SASA) bagged four golds, five silvers and one bronze, to finish among the top 10 out of 26 teams taking part in the three-day championship on July 19-21.
The Sabah swimmers, led by team manager Daniel Liew and coach Benjamin Lee, were Lee Ming Jie, Beverly Lai Mei Xi, Chua Yi Ern, Vilvance Lee, Jeanna John Fabian, Ignacio Wong, Siow Jia Wei, Gervaise Gan, Edan Hiew, Jeremy Yong, Denise Koshy, Brendda Jeanne, Linus Liew and Louis Liew.
SASA athletes were also impressive at the SportExcel ASUM/ MILO/ NSC Age Group Diving Championships that was held at the same venue the following week (July 27-28).
The team comprising Marcel Vinvent Voo, Shahrizal Asri, Junior Albert John, Muhammad Anilrian and Marvell Vincent Voo, led by coaches James Sandayud and Awang Sharuddin, bagged one gold, four silvers and four bronzes.
The two national championships were organised by the Amateur Swimming Union of Malaysia (ASUM) and the National Sports Council (NCS).
Meanwhile, those who did not take part in the championships in Bukit Jalil got a chance to compete in the Sandakan Open Swimming Championships, hosted by SASA affiliate, PJMS Swimming Club, the same day.
The third edition of the annual event, which attracted clubs from all over Sabah, Labuan and the Philippines, was graced by Youth and Sports Minister Phoong Jin Zhe and Sandakan Member of Parliament Vivian Wong.
Towards this end, newlyelected SASA president Derek Chui said the ample activities were good for development, both for the association and the sports.
“With ample of aquatic activities, we hope it motivates the athletes to train hard and prepare for these events.
“Both the diving and swimming teams had done well and we believe it is a great stepping stone to the future,” he said.
He thanked the Sabah Sports Council (Majlis Sukan NegeriMSN) for the passionate support shown to SASA and said the association were equally passionate in aiding the development of swimming and diving in Sabah.
“SASA are as passionate as MSN to develop both swimming and diving to great heights, and this will only be realised if the coaches and parents support the aim of the association,” Chui said.
The mid-year competition schedule continues to keep SASA busy as they compete in the ASUM/NSC/MILO SportsExcel Junior Swimming Circuit-Grand Final, this weekend.
Sabah swimmers who are competing in the two-day event at Bandar Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur are Samuel Ng, Chong Ka Yong, Jay Lo, Ian Chin and Denise Koshy. They are accompanied by coach, Sean Goh.