SIBU: SMK Sibu Jaya students did their school, the Sibu Jaya township and Central Region proud when they lifted 15 golds and 11 silvers at the Sarawak Games (Suksar) weightlifting events.
The Central Region targeted 20 golds with the weightlifters expected to get at least half of the target.
The students excelled with 15 golds, pushing the Central Region final tally to 35 golds to exceed the initial target.
At a simple ceremony in Sibu Jaya, here team manager Mackencidy Bujang and Coach Randy Kembaren, both teachers of SMK SibuJaya were beaming with pride.
“Five years ago when we started this sport we were literally zeros,” Mackencidy said. “Today, the students are the true heroes of the games,” he added.
With a systematic approach and discipline combined with commitment from both the teachers and students, and the support of the principal and parents, what was seemingly impossible became a reality, the team manager said.
The success was made sweeter as the Central Region (Sibu, Kapit and Mukah) weren’t expected to unseat their northern counterparts — a renown weightlifting powerhouse.
Now that the school were the champions, Mackencidy cautioned his charges against letting success get to their heads.
“The other regions will be gunning for us at the next Games in Sibu in 2021,” he said.
Randy said the teams were grateful to the support from State Sports Council’s coach Jelinie Empera. “She played an important role in our victory,” he said.
Randy hoped the parents would be more open minded towards the sport and allow their children to take up weightlifting.
Randy said the team defied all odds to emerge as champions. “But if we were to defend our title at the next Games, we better buck up and provide the needed facilities for our weightlifters,” he said hoping that the authorities, well-wishers and corporate organisations would step forth to support a sport which has come so far.
On the construction of the Azman Hashim Community Sports Centre in Sibu Jaya, Randy said it would go a long way in helping not just the weightlifters but other sportsmen and women from the area.
“We thank Yayasan Azman Hashim for the wonderful and generous donation to Sibu Jaya. A modern sports centre with international class running track is indeed an overwhelming gift,” he said.
