Abang Khalid (third left) presenting the proposed project paper to Mawan while association officials look on.
An artist impression of the upgraded sepak takraw hall in Petra Jaya.
Sura Matawangsang
KUCHING: The Ministry of Social Development has referred the Sarawak Sepak Takraw Association to the State Sports Technical Committee concerning the upgrading of the hall for training and competition in Petra Jaya.
Association president Datuk Abang Khalid Abang Marzuki said recently that the upgraded hall, expected to cost more than RM2.5 million and take four months to complete, should be the venue for the sport at next year’s Sukma.
Exco members met up with Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan last week. According to Abang Khalid, Mawan mentioned that the state should be capitalising on homeground advantage and state pride.
“As president of the Sarawak Sepak Takraw Association, I feel proud hearing the response of the Minister who is ready to assist in overcoming our plight and predicament. It is about time for us to win some silverware in Sepak Takraw,” he added, noting that Sarawak have not achieved any satisfactory performance in the sport for more than 10 years.
He also disclosed that sepak takraw was no more dominated by one particular race.
“The Malay used to dominate Sepak Takraw in Sarawak As they are now more active in Futsal, sportsmen from other races now pick up the game. One of our potential best is an Iban from Samarahan, for instance,” he said.
A Thai coach has also been engaged to scout for talent and train both men and women players for the 2016 Sukma in the past few months.
Sura Matawangsang, 42, was one time adjudged Best Trainer in Thailand. A former national team player as ‘tekong’ and former national coach, he had coached in Japan.
“As he was a former Navy personnel, his discipline is strong. He is also very technical as coach.
“This is the first time we are having an international coach. We want to improve in Sepak Takraw,” Abang Khalid stressed.
Several local tournaments and programmes are in the cards as part of the association’s effort in scouting for more talents. They include Piala Pusingan Ketua Menteri Sarawak (Oct), Piala Pusingan YB Datuk Fadillah Yusof (Nov) and Piala Pra-Sukma (Dec). Next year the association will be organising Piala YB Tan Sri William Mawan in Saratok.
Twenty male and 12 female players are currently in the Sukma training squad.