KUCHING: Cuthberta Entai received a special reward incentive from the Sarawak Rugby Union (SRU) for representing the Malaysian women’s rugby team at the recently concluded Asia Rugby Sevens Series 2024 in Bangkok.
Bertha, as she is fondly known as, was handed a cheque from honorary treasurer Lawrence Tan, and witnessed by president Richard Song Swee Jin.
“Thank you very much to Sarawak Rugby Union, especially to our president and everyone; all the secretaries that have helped me for giving me the incentive for representing Malaysia.
“I feel quite happy and very much appreciated. Thank you very much,”
said Bertha.
The incentive was distributed on Wednesday (Nov 20) at the SRU office.
In a statement by SRU, Song also took the opportunity to congratulate Bertha.
“Well, first of all, I must congratulate our player, Cuthberta, who has been selected by our Malaysian rugby to represent Malaysia for the Asia Rugby 7 series held in Bangkok.
“And this is a pride to Sarawak rugby for our effort in bringing her up to this level. I understand, actually, there are five of them selected, but due to injury, family programmes, the four had to back out.
“Thank God, Cuthberta, can make it. And I’m very happy and delighted that we give her a little bit of an incentive today in the presence of her father, of course our honorary secretary and treasurer, including our vice president (VP) here.
“We will continue to provide support to whoever is selected to represent Malaysia. And we hope with this incentive, Cuthberta will try her very best to bring not only honour to Malaysia, pride to Sarawak. And this is our joy in saying that this is happening.”
Song believes that the women’s rugby team in Sarawak has the potential to be a powerhouse in Malaysian rugby as witnessed by their commendable showing at the recent Sukma 2024.
Their target is to go one better at the Selangor Sukma in 2026.
Cuthberta, 20, who won her first cap for Malaysia, was also part of the Sarawak Sukma women’s rugby squad that won the silver medal back in August.
