Dr Hii (standing centre) with the Malaysian Women’s Volleyball Team.
SIBU: If results of two recent international matches are of any indication, the Malaysian women’s volleyball team are still on a long and winding road.
The team is currently playing in the 10th VTV Binh Dien Cup International Volleyball Championship in Vietnam from March 19-27.
Malaysia is in Pool A with Thailand Youth Team, Vietnam Binh Dien Long An team and China Jiangsu team.
Malaysia Volleyball Association (Mava) is using the international tournament as a run-up to the 29th SEA Games to be held in Kuala Lumpur next year.
In the first match against Binh Dien Long An, Malaysia went down tamely 0-3 (15-25, 21-25, 17-25).
In their second match against Thailand, Malaysia again failed to rise to the occasion, losing 0-3 (17-25, 12-25, 18-25).
Their chances in the last group match are almost nil as China has already won both matches against Thailand and Vietnam.
Teams in Pool B are Vietin Bank, China’s Fujian, Tong tin LVPB and defending champion 4.25 Sport Club of DPR Korea.
Mava chairman Dr Gregory Hii told The Borneo Post that it was not all rosy for the Malaysian women’s team.
Nevertheless, he said the championship not only served as a good exposure but also gave the players some idea of where they stood in terms of their standard.
“This will inspire them to work hard and make amendments on their skills and technique so that they can achieve their goal in the SEA Games,” he added.
Their next assignment will be the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship to be held in the Philippines from Sept 3-11.