KUCHING: Sarawak can still pose a strong challenge for top tennis honours when it plays host to Sukma XIX in 2016 because it still have good players capable of delivering the goods.
Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association president Dato Patrick Liew said Sarawak are capable of defending their overall championship crown in two years time.
“I am not worried about the absence of Mohd Assri Merzuki and Ariez Elyaas Deen Heshaam (who will be over aged) because we still have young and quality players in our squad like Alvin Teng, Rohizat Achop and Kenneth Tan,” said Liew.
He said Alvin and Rohizat had proven their worth in the recent Sukma XVII where they defeated their more experienced opponents in the men’s doubles.
“I am confident that they can do better with more intensive training. We still need new players to fill in the gap now that the senior players have “retired’,” added Liew.
“We do not have any problem with the girls squad as all the players including Aslina Chua are still available for Sukma 2016.”
Liew said Aslina will be returning to US in August to further her studies and continue her training there while others including Belinda Chai, Cecelia Lai, Linda Liong and Alia Azman will continue with their usual training at SLTA tennis centre.
The training for the players will start as soon as possible.
“I am proposing to send a few players to undergo intensive training and competitions in West Malaysia and overseas if we have available funds.”
“Apart from getting high quality training, our players can also compete in the tournaments over there to improve their game,” said Liew.
At the recent Sukma XVII in Kangar, Perlis, Sarawak emerged the overall champions after capturing four gold, two silver and three bronze medals.