S’wak going all out to win 17th title at MSSM Track and Field Championship

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GOOD LUCK: State Education Department director, Abdillah Adam (second left) presenting the MSSS flag to Tan Kiang Tuang (second right) as Ellen (left) and others look on during the sponsorship and flag presentation ceremony at SM St Anthony in Sarikei on Monday.

SARIKEI: Defending champion Sarawak is capable of winning the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) Track and Field Championship for a record 17th time when the event kicks off in Kuantan, Pahang this Sunday.

Team manager Hassan Wa’Gani expressed his optimism for the state’s athletes to make Sarawak proud once again in the five-day event which ends on May 23.

“We have done our preparations well and we are all set for the challenge in Kuantan. We have even prepared our athletes for night competitions,” he told the Borneo Post yesterday.

While predicting on the possibility for the state team to capture between 17 and 20 gold medals, Hassan admitted that it may also be tough for Sarawak this year when other teams are looking forward to defeat local athletes.

“This is because other states have taken action to field strong teams to break our dominance in the championship after being “given a warning” by the Education Ministry director-general Tan Sri Abd Ghafar Mahmud last year,” he said.

He predicted states like Johor, Perak and Pahang were the ones to watch out for and they may give Sarawak a hard time in Kuantan.

Hassan had visited state athletes who were training at Sarikei Stadium for the past 11 days and was happy to see that they were in good health and high spirit.

“They have been training very hard and are looking forward to going all out and giving their counterparts a good challenge come this Sunday,” he said.

Cash incentives are said to be offered for athletes who break records and win medals during the five-day national meet.

For every record broken, RM100 will be offered and they will get RM100, RM50 and RM40 each for every gold, silver and bronze won. On top of that Bank Rakyat will also give RM50, RM30 and RM20 respectively for each of the medals won.

Apart from that, the chef de mission Tan Kiang Tuang and State Education Department director Abdillah Adam will also be giving out incentives to the medallists.

Hassan said Sarawak’s main strength is that it has a very balanced track and field team.

“Our U15 boys and U15 girls teams are quite okay and I am confident that Norris Foo, Grace Wong, Shelma Sharon Anthony James, Quek Lee Yong, Faradillah Raznie and Johnathan Tinggang can deliver gold medals for the state team,” said Hassan.

He is also expecting a few gold medals from hammer throw, shot put and discus and triple jump and maybe some surprises in the relay events.

Meanwhile, chief coach Lim Eng Hooi is also optimistic for Sarawak to win the championship once again.

“There is a very good chance for us to become champions again but I must admit that it is getting more difficult every year because we need to better every year to stay ahead of others,” he said.

He added “We have got a pool of good athletes but we do not know the strengths of other teams.”

“We are going in for a good fight and I hope the athletes can all rise to the occasion and win more glory for the state,” said Lim, adding that the coaches had been very cooperative and united in working towards a common cause.

“We are looking for another good performance and there is a very good chance of our athletes cracking a few national records too,” he said.

He is assisted by Rasia Lutang while the coaching line-up include Donny Dahlan, Wan Almizan, Philip Nyepa, Mustapa Hassan, Sharon Keezia, Apong Abib, Chang Siang Seng, Mat Assan, Mawan Lalen, Noor Hisham, Samawi Manang, Julietine, Liong Shuen Keong, Ling Neng Thung, Arefelani, Spencer Eddy and Jasmine Ling.

Team officials comprised of State Education Department’s Human Resource Development Sector head Ellen @ Manium Engang who is also MSS Sarawak secretary, contingent leader Tan Kiang Tuang who is Bintulu District Education Officer, Sports Unit coordinator Apo Latit, Sports Unit assistant director Johnny Rasit, MSS Sarawak athletics technical and development chairman Ting Siew Nguong and chaperon Sho Lina Sakai.

The competition will start at 2pm on Sunday with the first gold medal of the championship to be won is in the Girls U18 shot putt event.