KUCHING: Sarawak Archery Association (Persatuan memanah Sarawak-Pemasa) will be organising the eighth Sarawak Indoor Archery Championship on Nov 16-18, in Kuching.
Pemasa secretary Chong Yap Jin said the championship will serve as a platform to scout for potential archers to be trained for Sukma XVII in Perlis.
“The association is preparing for Sukma XVII early in response to the call made by Minister of Social Development Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom for sports bodies to have early preparation for the next games,” Chong told the Borneo Post yesterday.
He also disclosed that Pemasa would be organising two outdoor and indoor championships annually in different towns of Sarawak.
“We are aiming to promote the sport of archery to as many towns as possible so that we can discover new potential talents for the sport of archery and we welcome individuals who are interested to form the archery clubs or associations in various towns of Sarawak to help us to achieve our target. Those interested can contact 013-8035630 or email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>,” Chong appealed.
In a related development prior to the outdoor and indoor championships Chong informed that the association in collaboration with Sarawak Sport Council will be conducting an archery coaching course in Sarikei for the teachers in the Central Zone of Sarawak in September.
“The present coaches who are mostly secondary schools teachers will be upgraded with the latest coaching skills that include technique to develop a consistent form,” informed Chong.
He noted that the key to improving archery techniques is to develop a consistent form.
“The elites in archery all have the ability to duplicate the same technique and form which they have adopted shot after shot. However, the way in which you achieved this is individual to each person. The more you practice the more you will develop the style which is suitable for you and to help you improve and learn which style you are suited to, it is often advisable to employ the help of a coach,” explained Chong who is also the archery technical officer of the state team.
Sarawak Sukma XV archery squad was coached by Chong Yap Lee, assisted by Johnson Liaw and managed by Louis Simon Peter. Balai Ringgin state assemblyman Snowdan Lawan was the assistant Chef-De-Mission.