Saba chief Rahman (third left) seen with guests at his home during Raya celebrations.
KUCHING: The feisty state boxers are targetting three gold medals at the Sukma XVIII Games, when given only a humble one-gold estimate by state officialdom.
Speaking after Raya visits from the media at his house here on Wednesday, Sarawak Boxing Association (Saba) president Dato Rahman Lariwoo said three gold medals is a realistic target for the state boxers, based on research and analysis to come to that knockout decision.
“We would not announce our target if we are not confident. We know the capabilities of the current boxers that we have,” Lariwoo said, adding that it was not over-confidence nor arrogance to the field in the upcoming Sukma.
A few other state teams, he revealed, are even rated as favourites when compared to the home boxers. “Whatever it is, we have to be confident of our own capabilities. We are also playing at home this time around and we should not let ourselves down in front of our own people here in Sarawak,” he said.
Also present during the visit was famed Sarawak-born go-kart racer Freddy Numan Lawan.
Lariwoo also said the boxers step back into the ring to resume training July 8. The nine boxers selected for state are: Syafiq Hazziman Abdullah Jefri, Ayu Azizzy Azmi, Alexson Tiong, As Sufi Azli, Darith Darianja Muiim, Mustaza Sidi, Muhamad Firdaus Kamarulzaman, Muhammad Zikri As Siddiq Hedzir and Ericson Ray Edward.
Giving the nine a ‘golden-glove’ fit are coaches Muhammad Helman Moni, Wilbur Buag-AY Andogan and Tiong Tien Long, under Mirza Chulam Murtadza as team manager.