KUCHING: Sarawak handball players are ready for the forthcoming Sukma in Perak this September and may even have high hopes of a medal or two but which colour they might not know.
They have prepared well for this Sukma as they have started development in the form of setting up three centres for decentralised training since last month in centres in Kuching, Sibu, Miri and Kapit.
They also have organised tournaments, including a selection for the State shadow team recently which had 12 boys and 12 girls making up the squad.
In the second phased of training which started in end of February until July held in Kuching, they will also have competitions for exposure and competitive edge in the Sarawak Open, Selangor Open and Perlis Open.
They will have their final and third phase of training in August where they will have intensive training. Their biggest tournament in Sarawak is the ongoing 13th ediition of the Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg Cup 2018 for the boys and Dr Haji Abdul Rahman Junaidi Cup 2018 (women’s category) which is being held at the Sarawak Indoor Stadium from March 19-22.
The CM Cup and the Dr. Abdul Rahman Junaidi Cup saw good response in the competitions with a total 32 teams participating with 20 teams for the boys and 12 teams for the women with teams from Selangor and Sabah partiicipating.
The local teams are f rom Bintulu, Miri, Sibu, Kuching and Samarahan. They also held a seminar for coaches and officials from Jan 29 to 31 to improve on the technical aspects of the game and raise awareness of the sport.
According to Sarawak Handball Association (SAHA) secretary, Dr Abang Ismail Abang Julhi, handball is quite active in the State as it is played all over Sarawak, where it is very active in Miri in particular. They also have three qualified coaches to look after the centres for the sport in Kuching, Kapit and Miri.
“Based on last year’s outing in tournaments such as the Sabah Open, our senior boys managed to win a silver while the shadow team players consisting of the back-up squad got the bronze medal. “We are hopeful of winning medals in the coming Sukma but of what colour I might not be sure as we based on our performances in the tournament, “ said Dr Abang Ismail.
