STATEWIDE SEARCH: The Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) will be conducting a state-wide talent identification drive starting tomorrow. For the first leg which will be held in SMK Sematan, the council will be looking for talents in archery, athletics, cycling and fencing. — Photo courtesy of MSNS
KUCHING: The Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) will be conducting a state-wide talent hunt for young, talented and aspiring athletes starting tomorrow.
The first stop is SMK Sematan near here where MSNS together with the local branch of the National Sports Institute (ISN) will take a close look at the school which has good track record in producing national-class athletes, most notably Sukma cycling gold medallists Rosnina Minggu and Junaidah Jus.
According to project co-ordinator Dzulkaflee Hassan, the sports talent search is conducted for the first time in the state. It will be a three-day event where young and potential athletes will go through briefing session, physical and mental tests.
In Kuching, the search will be for athletes who can represent the state in sports like archery, athletics, fencing and cycling. 70 students are expected to participate this weekend.
Out of the 70, Dzulkaflee hopes that he can find at least five students for each of the four
sports, especially archery and fencing. He however pointed out that he is not looking for quantity but quality instead.
“I pioneered this project when I was with the Perak sports council before. I am glad that the MSNS accepted my proposal as director Francis Nyurang Ding was so impressed with the plans,” he said.
Dzulkaflee continued that the programme was a success in Perak with the state producing a number of Sukma gold medallists. He is confident Sarawak will also benefit from the programme.
“This is one of the platforms to identify young sports talents. I believe there are many unpolished gems out there just waiting to be shine,” he enthused.
He continued that students from form one, two, three and four are encouraged to participate as these are the age group that the MSNS is looking into for the project. They will hence be back-ups to the current batch of state athletes.
After Kuching, the next leg of the programme will be conducted in Mukah with SMK Oya acting as host.
It will be organised from Nov 1 to Nov 3 there.
“As for the Mukah leg, we will be looking for talents in kayaking, cycling and athletics. We will then move on to other divisions after that,” he added.
For the record, Dzulkaflee is also the state cycling coach. Under his guidance, the state won a gold medal in the mountain cycling event during Sukma XV in Kuantan.
The aim of the talent identification drive is also to prepare the state for future Sukmas in Perlis 2014, Kuala Lumpur 2015 and the state itself in 2016.