PSM plans centralised training camp for international c’ships

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association (PSM) is planning to hold a rugged centralised training camp at the end of the year to boost the physical and mental strength of the national squad for several international championships next year, including the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam.

PSM president, Datuk Seri Ahmad Ismail, said 45 national players including 15 women would take part in the two-week centralised training camp in Kuala Kubu Bharu, Hulu Selangor, which is expected to involve the participations of personnel from Fire And Rescue Department (JBPM) to boost the stamina of the national players.

He said the proposal to hold the training camp was important since many plans in the national squad periodisation programme formulated by PSM Technical director Abdul Talib Ahmad did not achieve their targets due to certain constraints. Periodisation referred to the division of annual training programmes into several main training phases with each having a specific target and all the phases contributing to the achievement of the main target of the sports training programme.

‘’Since, JBPM have become our associate member, Abdul Talib suggested that we hold a joint training with them.

‘’Our early proposal was in Kuala Kubu Bharu, but I have yet to discuss with JBPM. God willing, we will communicate with JBPM to send the 45 players in our squad,’’ he said when interviewed by Bernama at his office, here, recently.

Ahmad said PSM would also invite renowned motivational speaker, Datuk Dr Mohd Fadzilah Kamsah and several others to provide spiritual input to ensure the players were at their peak mentally for the championships.

Other then the SEA Games, the national squad was expected to participate in the 35th edition of the Thai King’s Cup World Championship in March 2021 and the World Cup Sepak Takraw Championsip in Goa, India in June 2021.