GAINING EXPERIENCE: File photo of Dave (centre) conducting a poruthal training session with the state silambam exponents last month at the Kuching Civic Centre, prior to leaving for Sukma XVI in Kuala Lumpur.
KUCHING: After a less than forgettable outing in the recent Sukma, the state silambam team are now focussing on team building.
This was disclosed by state coach Dave Raj Muniappan during an interview with The Borneo Post yesterday.
“It was our inaugural participation in the games and I didn’t expect much from our players. We did go to Kuala Lumpur to win but most of our exponents lacked experience,” he added.
The state team went home empty-handed as they were eliminated in the early stages of the Kuala Lumpur Sukma.
For a start, Dave will go to the schools to find talent to groom for the next Sukma in 2015.
According to him, it is important to groom them young and train them with the very basic skills and foundation of silambam.
“Those who are interested in silambam must also be good at other sports as well such as running and athletics. This is because the basic attributes of silambam is also found in these sports such as agility, speed and strength,” he added.
He continued that with ample time for practise and centralised training, Sarawak can excell and even become a Malaysian powerhouse in silambam.
Dave also revealed that he is from the Kuala Langat silamabam clan.
“I am from Banting, Selangor, so it is only only natural that I follow the teaching of the silambam clan of my area, “ he added.
The state team is scheduled to play a series of friendly matches with other state teams, including neighbours Sabah, as early as February next year.