SIBU: The Sarawak men’s volleyball team is undergoing two training sessions a day in preparation for their first Malaysia Games (Sukma XXI) match, scheduled to be held at the Rejang Park Volleyball Stadium on Aug 17.
According to the team’s head coach Pang Sii Chiong, he has identified some weaknesses in the team that need to be addressed to ensure they can achieve their goal of winning the gold medal.
“Our first match will be against Pahang. The team is mentally, physically, and strategically ready for the match, thanks to the valuable exposure gained by the team during previous tournaments abroad,” he said.
He made these comments when meeting with reporters during the handover of the LED panel screen to Sibu Volleyball Association chairman Datuk Moh Wung Ming by Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek at the Rejang Park Volleyball Stadium, today (Aug 1).
Pang said Sarawak will meet Johor on the second day and Kedah on the third day before the semi-finals.
“Johor is expected to give a tough fight to Sarawak in the group stage, apart from Wilayah Persekutuan and Selangor, which are in another group,” he added.
Meanwhile, for the women’s team, coach Angela Tang said the Sarawak women’s team’s first match will be against Terengganu at 10am on Aug 18.
In the second match, the team will face Selangor, and in the third match, they will compete against Pahang.
“We expect Selangor and Pahang to give us a tough fight. We will do our best, and hopefully, the training and exposure we have gained will be beneficial during the matches against these two teams,” she said.
In the 2022 edition in Selangor, the Sarawak men’s team won gold, while the women’s team secured bronze.
Meanwhile, regarding the installation of the LED panel screen, Chieng said the panel was not only intended for Sukma but is also part of an effort to upgrade the stadium to attract international teams to participate in major tournaments in Sibu in the future.
“This LED panel screen installation with a total cost of RM50,000, promises a new experience for spectators, and Rejang Park Volleyball Stadium is the first in Malaysia to have such equipment.
“So, please come and support our teams to ensure they emerge as champions in the event,” he emphasised.
