Handball can deliver medals at Sukma XIX in Perak
KUCHING: Handball is capable of delivering medals at the 19th Sukan Malaysia (Sukma) in Perak from Sept 12 to 22.
Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the Sarawak Handball Association (Saha) can spring a pleasant surprise for the Sarawak contingent.
His optimism arises from the fact that Saha has taken a drastic approach in its development programme and are making early preparations for the Sukma challenge.
“Our handball teams (men’s and women’s) are capable of winning medals of any colour on offer in the Games and finish among the top three teams,” he said at the closing of the Coaching and Officials Workshop at the State Indoor Stadium in Petra Jaya yesterday.
Rahman, who is Pantai Damai assemblyman and Saha advisor, commended the Sarawak Sports Corporat ion ( SSC) and the Sarawak State Sports Council ( MSNS) for taking the initiative to organise the workshop from Jan 29 to 31.
“I think this is the best approach for us to produce more coaches and technical officials to bring handball development in Sarawak to a higher level.
“We need to work closely together to improve the standard of the sport and if possible, bring it to be on par with the main sports in the state,” he added.
The workshop for 29 teachers from Kuching, Samarahan and Serian was conducted by MSSM Technical and Development ch a i rman Vi j aya Kuma r Arumugam and Saha secretary Dr Abang Ismail Abang Julhi who is also vice president of the Malaysian Handball Association
Also present were SSC chief executive officer cum MSNS director Dr Ong Kong Swee and Saha president Norani Drahman.