The state 1Mas U12 squad with Lee (second right) and Kangot (third left) after a training session at the Sarawak Hockey Stadium on Monday.
KUCHING: Sarawak are looking to stage a strong challenge for the 1Mas Boys U12 title at the national inter-centre competition at Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Stadium in Ipoh, Perak from Dec 17-21.
Having finished third in last year’s tournament and also third in the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) Boys U12 championship in Johor in September, the team is confident of a good showing and finish among the top three again.
In preparation for the tournament, the boys have been training at the Sarawak Hockey Stadium since Dec until Monday (Dec 15).
“Yes, the chances making it to the final are there and I believe with the services of three of last year’s campaigners – captain Mohd Haziq Asyraaf Berahim, Ted Ranieri Tugang Stanley and Jallister West Ranggie — we can achieve our target,” said team manager William Lee.
Haziq had also attended the National U13 training camp in Ipoh from Mar 22-27 this year.
Furthermore, eight of the present squad played in the MSSM U12 championship this year.
The squad also comprises goalkeeper Mohd Ashri Mohd Rasdi, Mohd Fitri Azlan, Wan Zakirin Wan Hashim, Calvin Benardict Bada, Mohd Irfan Rosyid Ikmar Ahim, Jalie Henry and Hamizan Hakim Abdullah Mohd.
They are coached by Kangot Awan.
Sarawak’s main rivals will be MSSM U12 champions Perak, runners-up Pulau Pinang and up and coming Pahang.