Sarawak coaches, led by Fred Mandagi (fourth right) and SABA official Gulbudin Hekmateyer Rahman (third left) posing with the Thai boxing coaches (from left) Kee, Chu, Toon and Supauuit. — Photo courtesy of Datuk Rahman Lariwoo
KUCHING: Sarawak’s Sukma boxing shadow team will be extending their stay in Bangkok from three weeks to three months, said Sarawak Boxing Association president Datuk Rahman Lariwoo, following advice from Thai coaches.
Rahman said the Thai stint was necessary to whip the team into shape on aspects of fitness, agility, strength and skills.
“We have decided to let the boxers train in Thailand until March 14 under the advice of the Thai coaches who said they need a longer time to train,” he said, referring to Thai coaches Kee Ti Sak, Chu Sak, Toon and Supauuit.
Sarawak have targeted to win three gold medals in the Sukma XVIII boxing competition at MBKS Indoor Stadium here from July 23-30.
Rahman said Thailand was chosen as it is one of the boxing powerhouses in Asia.
“We are not going to waste this opportunity to ensure that our boxers are well trained and ready for Sukma XVIII in July,” he added.
He confirmed that after Thailand, the state boxers will continue to train in Batam Island in Indonesia and at the Malaysia Boxing Centre at National Sports Council Keramat, Kuala Lumpur.
The team comprise Ayu Azizzy Azmi, Syafiq Hazziman Abdullah Jefri, Mohd Elbi Azly Asram, Alexson Tiong, As Sufi Azli, Alexson Ajai Mambai, Mohd Eswandy Hasan, Ahmad Amirul Fadzli Pendi, Darith Darianja Muiim, Mustaza Sidi, Ting Chek Tee, Mohd Azizi Ibrahim and Naim Bakri Muhammadie.
They are accompanied by head coach Fred Mandagi, Filipino coach Wilbur Buag-Ay Andogan, Muhammad Helman Morni and Sarawak Boxing Association (SABA) official Gulbudin Hekmateyer Rahman.