KUCHING: Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) is waiting for the report from relevant bodies on the state’s recent defeat in the National Schools Sports Council (MSSM) Aquatics Championship.
“I cannot comment much on that because the parties concerned have not submitted the report to us yet,” said Awang Hashim, the council’s swimming coordinator.
He told the Borneo Post yesterday that it was not appropriate to comment on the matter as the report is not in yet.
“I think the best person who should comment on the matter is the chief coach who is based in Sibu,” he said while declining to speculate on the possible reasons of the defeat.
Awang, however, did mention that though Sarawak was the defending champion in this year’s meet, other teams must have planned well to wrest the title.
Selangor emerged champion in the keenly contested meet at Shah Alam Aquatics Centre which ended on March 31.
“Sarawak has always been the team to beat but those from Wilayah (FT) and Selangor are now on par with us…you will have to plan well when competing against them,” Awang said through a telephone interview.
“We must plan properly because other teams are always keeping a watchful eye on us and they can beat us if we let our guards down,” he added.
MSNS is also interested in the report because many of those who competed in the MSSM meet are in the Sukma squad.
Even though Sarawak lost the overall crown, state top junior swimmer Welson Sim was crowned best swimmer in the Boys 16-18 age-group after winning seven gold medals with five new meet records.
Sarawak missed the services of Erika Kong who was over the age limit. Erika, currently with the national squad, had helped Sarawak to win seven gold medals in last year’s meet held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.