OPENING STRIKE: Ting poised to get the State Under 16 & 14 volleyball championship underway in Sibu last Friday.
SIBU: The Rejang Park Volleyball Court has been picked as the centralised training venue for the national women’s volleyball team preparing for the Myanmar SEA Games in December.
Sarawak Volleyball Association (SVA) Chairman Dr William Ting Wei Ung said this was not only a matter of pride but a clear testimony of how far Sibu has progressed in cementing its reputation as the state volleyball powerhouse.
“Because of all of you and because of your love and support for the sport, you have helped transform Sibu into the volleyball stronghold and that is the reason why Sibu had been chosen as the venue for centralised training for the national women’s volleyball team,” he said at the opening of the Inter-Division Under 14 & 16 Volleyball Championship held at the Rejang Park Volleyball Court on Friday night.
A total of 23 teams comprising Mukah, Sarikei, Meradong, Miri and Limbang are taking part in the three-day competition.
Ting said the national women’s team, comprising 18 shortlisted players, would start their centralised training on Monday.
Of the 18 players, Sarawak contributed the bulk of seven players, with the rest of the states having one or two players each.
The eventual 12 players will be finalised by the end of November.
Sarawak women volleyball players have been making waves in the national scene, with its latest victory in the Malaysia Volleyball Championship, a tournament which had not been staged for the past 10 years.
In the final, the state team, marshalled by national player Luk Teck Hua, easily defeated Johore 3-0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-17).
Meanwhile, Ting reminded local players to continue training hard to ensure Sarawak sustain its reputation as a volleyball powerhouse.
On the RM10 million Sibu Prudential Volleyball Association Stadium, Ting said the 4-storey building would be the first of its kind in the country when completed at the end of this year.
Its state-of-the-art facilities, with a seating capacity for 3,000 people, will be a landmark in the town for the people of Sibu ought to be proud of.
SVA was fortunate that Prudential Assurance Malaysia Bhd (PAM) came into the picture when it pledged a contribution of RM3 million towards the cost of constructing the stadium.
Ting also said Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, speaking during the stadium earth breaking ceremony in 2011, had pledged RM100,000 (20,000 per year since 2011) as an incentive award scheme for volley players.
Ting said SMC Chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King had also contributed a substantial amount while many volleyball enthusiasts had chipped in to get the project going.
He explained that he was trying to set the records straight about public misconception that they were getting a lot of financial help from the government for the project.
“In fact, we are still short of funds and we welcome any enthusiasts to contibute towards our coffer,” he added.