10 carry state hopes in Melaka

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KUCHING: Sarawak will be sending 10 shooters to the 13th Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Melaka this June, and they are aiming for a better performance this time.

AIMING FOR GOLD IN MELAKA: Sarawak shooters with (back row) Lee (third right), Shamsul (second right), rifle coach Ahmad Anai (right), team manager Helen Liaw (centre), Christina (third left) and (front row) Soon Choy (third left).

AIMING FOR GOLD IN MELAKA: Sarawak shooters with (back row) Lee (third right), Shamsul (second right), rifle coach Ahmad Anai (right), team manager Helen Liaw (centre), Christina (third left) and (front row) Soon Choy (third left).

In Terengganu 2008, state shooters brought back one gold and one bronze through Chia Soon Choy.

The squad, comprising three boys and seven girls, are now doing their intensive training at Police Operation Centre Camp in Batu Kawa.

Five new faces are in the squad. As of yesterday, the shooters will be competing in seven out of 13 categories. More will be decided based on their performance during training.

Assistant Minister of Sports Datuk Lee Kim Shin paid a visit on the shooters yesterday and was pleased with their preparations.

Lee was also aware of the problems faced by the squad, saying: “An upgrade of the equipment used is needed. It’s vital for the shooters to have good and up-to-date pistols and rifles so that they can stay ahead of the competition.”

He asked state shooting coordinator Shamsul Nizam Abdul Rahman to come up with a proposal regarding the equipment needed.

Lee also stressed on the importance of exposing the shooters to more tournaments as he believed this would improve their skills and techniques as well as experience.

Meanwhile, pistol coach Christina Liaw said the squad would be going for a tournament in Subang next month, and the Pre-Sukma Games.