NEW KID IN TOWN: Sukma gold medalist Heedrew (second, right) receiving a cheque from Muazamir while Jumaat (right) and Salleh (left) look on.
KUCHING: Kuching Muay Thai Association (PMK) is expecting Sukma XVI gold medalist Heendrew Lois Rekan to be called up for the national team.
PMK officials are optimistic although they are still awaiting official word from the Malaysia Muay Thai Association (PMM).
“We haven’t received any written letter or agreement regarding Heendrew’s call up to the national team, but it is safe to say that he is on his way to Bukit Jalil. After all, he did win the gold medal in the last Sukma,” state Sukma coach Azmi Karim revealed.
He pointed to a Facebook status comment made by the PMM technical deputy president Bernard Radin who has expressed interest in grooming Heendrew to become a national boxer.
Meanwhile, PMK president Jumaat Ibrahim believes that Sarawak muay thai is on the right track.
“From the very beginning I have faith in my boxers as I know our capabilities and capacity. With our boxers winning medals during the previous Sukma XVI, I am glad to say that all our promises before the games were not empty,” he said.
He added that the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) did not initially have the boxers in mind to be sent to Sukma. But he worked hard to convince them and he is relieved that his efforts has yielded results.
Medalists at the recent Sukma – Heendrew, Ayu Arynaa Iza Azmi, Ayu Azrynna Azmi and Nurzafarisha Zafari – have also received incentive rewards from PMK.
The state boxers, who collected one gold, two silver and one bronze medals, were presented these incentives at the Youth and Sports Complex here last Sunday.
The ceremony was attended by Jumaat, Sarawak Youth and Sports Department assistant director Muazamir Jili and PMK assistant director Sulaiman Salleh.