The Sarawak women’s kabaddi team posing before a match during the inaugural National Kabaddi tournament held in Dato Hamzah Hall in Klang, Selangor recently.
KUCHING: Sarawak Kabaddi Association (SKA) have raised their ambitions for the women’s team as they prepare for the 2015 Sukma.
There is cause for optimism following the team’s performance at the inaugural National Kabaddi Tournament held in Klang, Selangor from April 5 – 6.
The newly assembled team reached the final only to lose 16-22 to 2011 Sukma champions Selangor.
“We were close to winning the title during the tournament but I guess the more experienced team won that day.
“There is indeed a positive from that match,” state head coach Ganisan Punisamy told The Borneo Post yesterday.
He revealed that it had been a painstaking process to select the right players for the team.
Like the men’s team, most of the state women’s team are made up of Bumiputra players, unlike most teams from other states which field all Indians.
“Everybody can play this game and, like any other game or sport, it takes passion and determination to excell in this.
“I don’t see any problem why people of other races should not take part in this beautiful sport,” Ganisan added.
Sarawak only started playing kabaddi, a traditional Indian sport, seriously in 2008 where the state men’s team made their first appearance in an exhibition match during that year’s Sukma held in Terengganu.
The state did not send a women’s team for the 2013 Sukma as the association considered that it was not up to par yet.
“With the current team, I think we are ready for next year’s Sukma.
“It’s not impossible that we can even win the kabaddi gold medal next year too provided that we put our minds to it,” Ganisan said.