D-Day for coaches to raise their game for Sukma
KUCHING: All state coaches for Elite, Excellence and Development centres have been instructed to make specific preparations for Sukma 2022 in Bukit Jalil (Kuala Lumpur) and Sukma 2024 in Johor.
This is according to Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) director Dr Ong Kong Swee who explained that the coaches are expected to review their long list of athletes for Sukma to ensure those listed can win medals or perform according to the latest athlete’s performance profile.
Ong, who is also Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) CEO, stressed that the performance of the coaches will be closely monitored and evaluated according to reports on training and periodisation plans, athletes performance profiles, exposure competitions and so on.
He was speaking at the recent Sukma 2022 preparations briefing held at the conference room of the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre, Petra Jaya.
Ong warned that the 76 local and foreign coaches who do not achieve a satisfactory level of performance will be taken to task.
The coaches have to demonstrate their focus on the Key Performance Index (KPIs) and performance of their athletes. The evaluation of each coach is conducted through a
systematic process via interviews and the results and performances of their athletes these two years. It will be carried out by SSC’s High Performance Unit led by consultant Andre Richard, relevant sports development officers, sports associations and MSNS.
Meanwhile, Sarawak will first focus on preparations for 16 compulsory sports for the 20th Sukma in Bukit Jalil, Kuala
Lumpur next year. These are aquatics (diving and swimming), archery, athletics, badminton, cycling, football, gymnastics (artistic and rhythmic), hockey, karate, lawn bowls, shooting, pencak silat, squash, tenpin bowling, wushu and optimist sailing.
However, preparations for all 31 sports must carry on as planned because there is no official confirmation on the number
of sports for Sukma 2022. The remaining optional sports will be decided in the Sukma Supreme Technical Committee meeting next month. For Sukma 2024 in Johor, however, 31 sports will be competed.
Also present at the briefing were SSC sports development division manager Ahmad Rodzli Hashim and Sukma Preparations Unit head Abdul Muktalib Mohamad.