JUBILATION: Players and officials of the Sarikei Maksak women volleyball team celebrate after receiving their championship trophy and medals. Sarikei defeated a resilient Samarahan team 2-0 in the final.
KUCHING: Established volleyball powerhouse Sarikei, captured both of the Sarawak Government Services Welfare & Recreational Council (Maksak) men’s and women’s titles to emerge overall champion of the 2012 tournament held at stadium Datuk Kawada here.
In the final of the women’s category on Sunday, Sarikei defeated a resilient Samarahan team 2-0 to lift the crown.
Their men’s team also faced Samarahan in the final which saw them fighting tooth and nail to finally emerged victorious by the same margin.
Sarikei had previously won the championship in 2010.
“Our players and coaches have prepared very hard for this tournament and we are glad that we won. With this victory, we can expect our players to be selected and to spearhead the state’s team in the upcoming inter-state volleyball championship,” said Sarikei Maksak secretary Mohd Irtidzar Razali.
In the semifinals, their women squad beat Kuching 2-0 while their men’s team downed Miri by similar scoreline.
“Men’s coach Wong Shoou Jang and women’s coach Ngu Yu Hu did a great job shaping both teams into champions. They know the strength of the players and both coaches deserved to be commended for their excellence work,” Mohd Irtidzar added.
The Sarikei women’s team comprised Raftica Supaat, Nuradlina Naim, Kiew Kieu Tin, Tang Ling San, Jessica Mok Mei Lu, Luk Teck King, Lau Lee Mei, Yeo Yieng Yieng, Tang Lily and Wong Ching Fong while the men’s squad consisted of Wong Neng Lee, Lau Yeng, Ting Sie Hong, Yusddy Said, Chiu Yew Hui, Wong Sia Hui, Mohd Danial Zain, Yew Yii Hock, Ling Tien Chuan and Su Meo Chong.
The inter-state tournament will be hosted by Sabah this year. All divisional Maksak participated at the competition except for Sibu and Bintulu. Limbang on the other hand sent only their men’s team.
A total of 198 spikers took part.