The state teams posing with their medals after winning both the men’s and women’s titles in the Pre-Sukma Volleyball Championship at the Sibu Volleyball Stadium yesterday. — Photo by Helen Tang
KUCHING: It was double joy for Sarawak as the state Sukma XVIII men’s and women’s teams emerged victorious in the Pre-Sukma Volleyball Championships at the Sibu Volleyball Stadium in Rajang Park yesterday.
In the women’s final, Sukma defending champions Sarawak outclassed University Malaya 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-13 for the second time in the competition to lift the crown.
Sarawak, who registered three wins in the preliminary rounds, had beaten University Malaya and entered the final after blanking Terengganu 3-0 (25-16, 25-11, 25-20) on Saturday.
The third and fourth placed teams were University Malaya U19 and Terengganu respectively.
The men’s competition saw Sarawak A completing their campaign with four wins – over Terengganu, Sarikei, Sarawak B and Johor to be crowned champions.
In second to fourth placings were Sarawak B, Terengganu and Johor.
Sarawak Volleyball Association (Sava) head coach Moh Ung Ming was pleased with the state players and said the victories have certainly given them a morale booster in facing Sukma XVIII come July 22-31.
“This is a good warm-up for our players in their mission to win two gold medals in Sukma XVIII. However, we must not be complacent and instead should put in 100 per cent effort and be fully prepared to face the challenge ahead of us,” he added.
Malaysian Volleyball Association (Mava) president Prof Gregory Hii closed the event and gave away the prizes. Also present were Sava president William Ting and Sukma XVIII competition director Andrew Ting.
The event, co-organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mava, Sava and the Sarawak State Sports Council, saw the participation of nine teams.