Four players sacrifice jobs for Sukma campaign

KUCHING: Sukma women’s hockey head coach Sivasubramaniam Chellapah is hoping that the Sarawak State Sports Council can somehow help to ease the financial burden of four players who have given up their jobs to focus on training.

Willina Mac, Camelia Andy, Christine Ela Ahon and Leonny Suzye Roland are determined to help Sarawak hunt for the gold medal in next year’s Sukma to be hosted by Sarawak.

“I really appreciate the sacrifice made by the four players and I understand they have made a difficult decision. Their attitude serves as a very good example to other players to give their best commitment to the Sarawak team,” he said.

The coach said the decision helped in the squad’s preparations as the four are key players.

Sivasubramaniam has also listed 20 other players including students aged between 14 and 18 in his shadow team, some of whom are already undergoing training at the Sarawak Astroturf Hockey Stadium along Jalan Padungan here.

“I am very happy with the commitment and dedication shown by the trainees and its a pity that some of the players that I have trained at various schools are unable to turn up for training at the stadium,” he added.

Of the 24 players, 11 are retained from the 2014 Sukma: Bong Mee Ling, Elljekha Jimmy, Vegrasia Apang, Willina Mac Carina Wilson, Imelda Thomas, Shahrulina Entering, Wisnika Junin, Avery Nathanielyn Joseph, Jossiekay Franklin, Suhaila Sata and Lora King.

New faces include Jenny Luyan Siew, Leonney Suzye Roland, Olivia William, Rose Ida Direk, Camelia Andy, Christine Ela Ahon, Miniza Samos, Mozyliana Ezza Raden, Josephine Angkun, Jessie Angela Jerad, Vantorriyana Piah, Marion Ulok and Erysha Emira Majih.

Sivasubramaniam led the state team to the women’s hockey gold medal at the 2006 Sukma.

The women’s hockey competition for the 2016 Sukma will be held in Kuching at the new stadium at the Sarawak Stadium Complex and the Sarawak Astroturf Hockey Stadium.