Sukma boxers to rough it out in Pontianak
KUCHING: The Sarawak Sukma XVIII boxing team will be training in Pontianak, Indonesia from June 10.
Sarawak Boxing Association (SBA) president Datuk Rahman Lariwoo said this is the fourth and final training stint for the state boxers in preparation for the Sukma boxing competition from July 21-30. The boxers had so far trained in Kuala Lumpur and twice in Thailand.
“The boxers will be training in Pontianak for more than a month and they should be back in Sarawak by July 15,” Rahman said yesterday.
He said Indonesia was chosen because about 70 per cent of the state squad are Muslims and they will be training during the fasting month in July.
“The culture, food and language of both Malaysia and Indonesia are almost the same so it will be suitable to our boxers,” he elaborated.
Furthermore, the standard of Indonesian boxing is higher than Malaysia as they even have produced a WBC champion.
“We will be training and sparring with the Kalba boxers including a national champion who are preparing for the Indonesian national games,” added Rahman.
The ten boxers – Syafiq Hazziman Abdullah Jefri, Alexson Tiong, As Sufi Azli, Darith Darianja Muiim, Mustaza Sidi, Denoven Hugo Semon, Muhammad Zikri As-Siddiq Hedzir and Ericson Ray Edward – will be led by head coach Muhammad Helman Morni and Philippine coach Wilbur Buay-ag Andogan and Robin Tiong. Mirza Chulam Murthaza is the team manager.
Meanwhile, Rahman said he is satisfied with the improved performance of the state boxers after the previous overseas exposure.
“After we returned from Thailand, the discipline, stamina and skills of the boxers have improved greatly,” he said.
Since Sukma XVIII is less than 50 days away, Rahman felt that there is a strong need for the boxers to improve their endurance and stamina.
“We are also lucky to have former boxing champion Jorven Jordan from the Philippines to help us prepare our boxers for Sukma. He is here to guide and motivate them,” he said.
Rahman, who is also team manager of the national team for SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur next year, said he will be visiting all the training centres in the state including Samarahan, Betong, Tatau and Kapit after Sukma XVIII. He added that three more centres in Bau, Serian and Miri will be set up to groom more boxers to represent the state and country.
“On behalf of the Sarawak Boxing Association, I would like to thank the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Solidarity, Sarawak Sports Corporation, Sarawak State Sports Council, our patron Major General Datuk Stephen Mundaw, the generous donors, supporters as well as the parents of the state boxers for their strong morale and financial support,” said Rahman.