Dr Ong Kong Swee
KUCHING: A ‘cooler clime’ in shorter, training hours has been recommended for state Muslim athletes during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
According to Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) chief executive director Dr Ong Kong Swee who spoke to The Borneo Post yesterday, those who are fasting will only train in the evening and night throughout Ramadan.
Should any fasting athlete be unsure on how they should train during the fasting month, they should first seek advice from nutritionist specially appointed by the state officials to avoid unwanted injuries during training.
“SSC has appointed an associate professor from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) who is also a sports nutrition panel for the National Sports Institute (ISN) and the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) to help athletes with their fitness,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ong commented that the state athletes are beginning to familiarise themselves with the various venues for the coming Malaysia Games (Sukma) in which Sarawak will host this year.
He too revealed that the only the state’s shooting range and squash hall are still under construction but he insisted that it would be completed in time for the games.
“Only a few items at the two venues were yet to be completed such as the electronic scoreboard and others. The two venues are on scheduled to be completed soon,” he said.
All in, 24 sports will contested the Sukma this year which is also known as Sukma XVIII, scheduled from July 22 to 31.
This year, Sarawak will host the games only for the second time and the contingent is out to prove that the state can win the games again on home soil and deliver the title which has been elusive to Sarawak for a long time.
Sarawak last won the Sukma in 1994 (also in 1990, 1992) in Perak.