SIBU: Sarawak Volleyball Association (SAVA) deputy president Dr Gregory Hii Sui Cheng said volleyball players in the country should keep harbouring hope that they could one day make a dream debut in the Olympics.
“We were the third best in the 2001 SEA Games held in Kuala Lumpur and there is every possibility that we can reach a level higher, provided that we give the sport an extra push,” he said during a luncheon to mark Sarawak girls’ gold medal victory at the recent Pahang Sukma.
Among those who were present include SAVA president, Temenggong Vincent Lau Lee Ming, Sibu Division Volleyball Association (SDVA) president Dr William Ting, chairman Moh Ung Min, Squash Racquets Association Malaysia (SRAM), deputy president Robert Lau Hui Yew and the State Sukma volleyball team members.
Hii expressed confidence for the national volleyball team to deliver better results in the near future and reminded the players to always dream big and aim higher.
“If we could not make it to the Olympics, at least we should strive to make our presence felt in SEA or Asian Games…it will be a major breakthrough if we can maintain consistency in that area,” he said.
Hii said in the early 2000’s and during the time of Tay Yew Siong who is the national volleyball coach, Malaysia had achieved good results in the international volleyball tournaments.
“Sarawakians accounted for almost 50 per cent of the national team players and that is why we should pour in more effort to groom Sarawak players,” Hii said.
He hoped the day would come when the national team could represent Malaysian in the Olympics and help the nation win its first medal from a team sport.
“Unfortunately for our country, squash is not included in the Olympics…otherwise, Malaysia could have easily obtained more medals at the 2012 London Olympics,” he suggested.
The International Olympic Council (IOC) will host a meeting in one of two months time after the recent London 2012 Olympic to decide on the venue for the 2020 Olympics and the new sports to be included.
For the Rio 2016 Olympics, two sports, golf and the seven-a-side rugby, have already been given the nod for inclusion.
“It is the hope of all Malaysians and squash players from throughout the world for the racquet game, already shortlisted for 2020 Olympics, to be given the green light to be included,” Hii said.
Back to volleyball, he said Sukma could be used as a yardstick for the state to select elite players to be groomed to become national players.
In the recent Pahang Sukma, Sarawak girls captured the gold medal while the boys failed to navigate through the quarter-final after they narrowly lost 2-3 to Selangor.
Sarawak boys were unfortunate to have lost to Selangor 15-17 in the deciding final match, he recalled.
“If they had not lost that match, they could have brought back the gold as the two teams in the final were seemingly weak,” he argued.
“As of now, we need to look ahead and look at a bigger picture while preparing our team for bigger championships,” he said.
“It was interesting to watch the splendid performance of Datuk Lee Chong Wei giving his best before he eventually lost to his long-time nemesis Lin Dan,” Hii said on the recent London Olympics.
He added the diving events were another sport he had never wanted to miss, and the consistent dives of Pandelela Rinong were something worth cherishing.
He wanted other Sarawak athletes to emulate the exploits and the never-say-die attitude of Pandelela and Chong Wei who brought moments of glory to the country.