Sarawak out for better showing in KPM c’ship

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BETTER THAN 2012: Francis (fifth left) handing over the state colours to Tan (fifth right) and the state team while (from sixth right) Ting, Kong, Chia and coach Ling Ung Hee look on.

KUCHING: Sarawak are looking to do better in the 4th Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia (KPM) Wushu Championship in Ipoh, Perak from April 12-14.

“We are hoping to do better than our 13-gold, 15-silver and 5-bronze medal haul at last year’s championship which was also
held in Ipoh and I am confident that our young exponents will deliver,” said Wushu, Lion and Dragon Dance Federation of Sarawak (WFS) secretary James Ting yesterday.

He picked national juniors Elvic Bong Qian Zheng and Clement Thian Fung Seng, Jaclyn Chia Pei Shien, Felicia Ma Hui Qi and non-Chinese exponent Yong Arifah Khairul Kok as the potential gold medallists.

Ting also placed hopes on the younger exponents to win some medals in the foundation routine events.

“The main purpose of competing at this national junior meet will be giving our young exponents competition exposure in our preparation for Sukma 2014 and 2016,” he said.

Eight members in the team are identified as back-up athletes for the 2014 and 2016 Sukma.

Apart from that, it was also to gauge the standard of the state exponents who are in the development programme.

“As this is a competition organised by the Education Ministry and that wushu is now a co-curriculum subject in schools, we must show our support by fielding a team,” said Ting.

The state team coached by Ling Ung Hee comprise 26 members, 12 of whom are girls.

Seven-year-old Adam Chang Wen Han from Kuching is the youngest member while the oldest is Farold Tan Yi Chie from Miri.

Other members of the boys team are Chiew Sow Hong, Edmund Tan Yuh Xiang, Terence Ma Yung Foong, Bong Yun Phin, Adrian Chin Kiong Pei, Lawrence Loi Ming Xian, Joel Chua Hsien Zhi, Bryan Hon Sheng Chun, Allison Chin Kuok Ping and Ting Yoon Hao.

The girls include Bong Yun En, Lim Chun Feng, Cynthia Chang Mei Shien, Mandy Lim Xin Hui, Sharifah Farah Shahirah Shahab, Tan Kai Sing, Landy Liew Jia Yee, Aria Alexis Kuek Yi Ying and Vanessa Xin Lim.

They will participate in 40 events from Group A to D including foundation routines, junior patterns and standardised routines.

However, Sarawak are not fielding any participant in the sanshou events.

Last year, Sarawak finished second overall behind Melaka and ahead of Negeri Sembilan.

Meanwhile, in a simple ceremony at Civic Centre Kuching yesterday, Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) director Francis Nyurang Ding handed over the state colours to team manager Tan Joo Chua.

Also present were WFS treasurer William Kong and MSNS coordinator for wushu Thomas Chia.