GOLD PROSPECT: Richard Lim (right) spars with coach Mandagi during training at Betong Stadium yesterday.
Division keen to host boxing and weightlifting events at Games
BETONG: The assistant head of Sarawak Sukma contingent, Gerald Rentap Jabu is bidding for Betong division to host boxing and weightlifting events when Sarawak hosts the games in 2016.
Rentap said that Betong is an ideal venue and possessed both the capabilities and facilities to host the events.
“In terms of logistics, Betong can accommodate about 1,200 athletes at any one time at the Mara Junior Science College (MRSM), SMK Kedit, SMK St Augustine and SM Teknik.
“The suitable venues here to stage the events are Tan Sri Stephen Kalong Ningkan Indoor Stadium and Rentap Community Hall,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
However, he added that Betong would have to meet the mandatory technical requirements of Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) such as the availability of match juries, judges, time keepers, ringers and referees.
“The most important criteria to host the two events are that we must have a team of qualified medical doctors who are specialised in treating boxing and weightlifting related sports injuries.
“We may seek the services of medical doctors from Saratok and Betong hospitals but they have to undergo training conducted by Sarawak Boxing Association in collaboration with the Boxing Federation of Malaysia and Malaysia Weightlifting Federation,” explained Rentap.
He added that the local boxers would also have to undergo thorough medical examinations before being allowed to compete in any competitions.
“Another strong point for us to be strongly considered to host the boxing event here is that Betong division was chosen by MSNS as the centralised training venue for the Sukma boxing squad.
“The sport is very popular among the locals here, thus the existence of a large pool of supporters,” revealed Rentap.
The current Sukma boxing squad comprises seven boxers of which four are from Betong division.
The boxers from Betong are Melaka Sukma silver medallist Richard Lim (below-50kg category), Donavan Hugo (below-60kg), Muhammad Ridwan (below-70kg) and Fuad Sani (below-90kg).
“Since I moved here from Kapit, I have found that the interest and support from MSNS and the locals for boxing were indeed overwhelming,” said Lim who aspire to emulate Sapok Biki, the legendary Sukom gold medallist from Sarawak.
Sukma boxing squad coach Fred Mandagi revealed that the intensive training sessions would have to undergo minor modification due to injuries sustained by gold medal prospects Nazreen Sidi and Richard Lim.
“I have to reorganise the maximum training period as some of the boxers are down with minor injuries.
“I hope they can recover on time for the final phase of training by competing cum sparring with top boxers from Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat. They are experienced boxers and have seen action in national and international level competitions.
“The squad will leave for Pontianak on June 5,” informed Mandagi.