KUCHING: Bright days are ahead for Sarawak rugby as the Malaysian Government Servants Welfare and Sports Council (Maksak) Sarawak has invited the Sarawak Rugby Union (SRU) to collaborate on future management, selection, and training processes.
Richard Song Swee Jin, President of the Sarawak Rugby Union (SRU), highlighted that Maksak Sarawak has appointed SRU as technical advisors, which includes selecting the Sarawak Maksak rugby team for the upcoming Maksak Malaysia Games on November 14 to 17 in Kota Bharu, Kelantan..
“This will likely be the best-assembled Maksak Sarawak team in 15 years. This is the first time Maksak Sarawak has engaged the Sarawak Rugby Union in the selection process,” he stated.
In a recent conversation with New Sarawak Tribune, the SRU committee comprising Song, Zakaria Hamzah (Assistant Honorary Secretary of SRU), and Yusof Shah Datuk Mokhsen (Vice-President of SRU and President of Kuching Rugby Football Club) expressed their commitment to utilising their combined experience in organizing, training, and selecting players and coaches for Maksak Sarawak’s rugby development.
“It’s A to Z from SRU from now on, especially with Zainal Abidin bin Abdullah taking over as Chairman of Rugby Sports Development for Maksak Sarawak.
“His involvement is tremendous news-he is deeply committed to rugby,” they emphasized.
A rugby relationship forged
Recently, the Maksak Sarawak Rugby 10s took place at the newly laid UNIMAS synthetic field from October 5 to 6, featuring teams from Maksak Sibu, Maksak Betong, Maksak Kuching, PDRM, Maksak Samarahan, Bomba, and Maksak Miri.
The atmosphere during the event was electric, filled with excitement about the future of Sarawak rugby and the potential for developing the next generation of players.
“This is the first time SRU has been officially invited to participate in the selection process. It’s also the first time that inter-division Maksak has helped select the best players,” Song remarked.
He commended Zainal Abidin, describing him as a “very prominent person” with extensive leadership experience, stating that the invitation to collaborate is an “honour.”
“We view this as recognition of our role as promoters, protectors, and defenders of rugby, aligning with the values of the sport,” he added. Song emphasised that a new relationship between Maksak Sarawak and the Sarawak Rugby Union begins today, marking an exciting new chapter for rugby in the region.
Strengthening rugby development
“This collaboration enables officers from Miri, Kapit, Lawas, and other parts of Sarawak to promote rugby in their respective areas,” Song noted, reflecting on the positive developments for the sport.
Rugby is currently gaining popularity in major cities like Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, and Miri. “This is a positive development that must be encouraged and sustained for the long term. Rugby in SRU is growing and expanding,” he explained.
Significant progress has been made over the years, with the Sarawak women’s rugby team achieving unprecedented success at the Malaysia Games (SUKMA), reaching the semi-finals and securing a silver medal.
“We narrowly lost to Selangor, but I believe that in time, we will be national champions. Our target for the girls in SUKMA 2026 is to give Selangor a strong challenge as defending champions,” he said.
With the women’s team maturing, Song sees no reason why they shouldn’t aim for gold.
“The boys are also improving by leaps and bounds, but it takes time,” he added. He pointed out that more people are being drawn to rugby, noting an increase in participation among girls actively pursuing the sport.
The future of rugby in Sarawak
Rugby in Sarawak is evolving, and the collaboration between Maksak Sarawak and SRU holds great promise.
“Maksak Sarawak invited SRU because we are affiliated with Malaysia Rugby (MR), which connects us to Asia Rugby and World Rugby. Malaysia are making strides in rugby on the Asian stage,” he explained.
Song then said that rugby is undergoing significant changes in terms of rules, regulations, and safety, as it is a physical game with inherent risks.
He emphasised that medical officials are present at every match, ready to respond quickly to injuries.
“Safety is paramount. In any sport, injuries can occur, and we prioritise player safety,” he added.
He calls for greater participation from Sarawakians in rugby, stressing the importance of fitness for those looking to play the sport.
“We need to train and be fit before stepping onto the field. It’s essential for both enjoyment and safety,” he said.
