Lau (front row, second left) hands over a flag to team manager Albert Wong. At second right is RTC chief coach Thomas Tang.
SIBU: Temenggong Vincent Lau Lee Ming wants the state taekwondo exponents to sweep as many medals as possible in the three-day Sarawak Chief Minister/Borneo Cup International Taekwondo Championship which begins today in Kuching.
He said this would not only cement the state reputation as the
taekwondo powerhouse but also give the international participants a taste of the state’s greatness.
“Go all out and stay focused during the championship. Your victory will be a glory to the state,” he said.
Lau gave his advice after handing over the team flag to the
Rejang Taekwondo Club (RTC) late Wednesday afternoon.
The six exponents from RTC are Tie Ton Siong, Joycee Hii Ian
Chyn, Lau Yih Jiun, Lucas Wong,
Lau Yih Heng and Tie Sing Da.
Acknowledging the strength of foreign fighters, Lau said: “I understand that these foreign participants are their national athletes and they are coming here for the titles. Nevertheless, I’ve the confidence in our state exponents.”
The 450-odd competitors are from China, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Laos, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, Macau and host
Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Sri Sibu Taekwondo Club (SSTC) are also sending eight players to the championship.
They include 2014 Sukma gold medallist Jenny Soh Fong Mee, George Chan, Spencer Ngat Sibat,
Caren Li Ying Ning, Cynthia Li Ying Ci, Calvin Li Wen Jiun, Mohd Hearri Chieng Mohd Firdaus and
Licky Donny Ling.
The team received their colours from local prominent businessman Dato Sri Dr Benny Lee on a separate occasion.
Sibat Semudan is team manager while the team coach is
Li Jin Voon, assisted by Ling Kin
Loung.