Manyin (centre), flanked by Abdul Karim (on his left) and Kameri, leading the delegation members to give a spirited pose during the handing over of state colours.
KUCHING: Sarawak may engage the services of more foreign coaches in a bid to make the state contingent a force to be reckoned with at the next Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Perak in 2018.
Youth, Sports and Solidarity Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong said Sarawak needs the best coaches who can identify emerging talents and turn them into potential medal winners for Sarawak.
But due to a lack of local qualified coaches, he said Sarawak may have no other option but to look for coaches from outside the country.
“Engaging the services of foreign coach may involve high pay. We still need to study this before making a final decision,” said Manyin to reporters yesterday after the presentation of Sarawak colours to the Sarawak contingent competing in the 9th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games in Samarinda, Indonesia.
The most recent Sukma hosted by Sarawak in July this year saw the state finishing second behind Selangor. Sarawak bagged 57 gold, 43 silver and 59 bronze medals, losing narrowly to Selangor by just a two-gold medal margin.
It was nonetheless the highest gold medal haul and a significant improvement for Sarawak over the past three Sukma editions.
Meanwhile, Youth, Sports and Solidarity Ministry’s permanent secretary Kameri Affendi said sports associations in the state have requested for additional coaches to help with identifying and developing young talents in Sarawak.
He said the request was made during a recent meeting chaired by Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee to plan and coordinate the Sarawak contingent’s preparation for Sukma 2018.
“The sports associations requested for more coaches.
“This matter will be deliberated again for further action,” he said.
On another matter, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said a controversy involving foreign players in Sarawak’s sepak takraw team in the recent Sukma has been resolved internally.
He said a warning letter has been issued to the team management to warn them against using wrong approaches to win medals for the state.
The team had reached the semi-finals stage.
He explained that the foreign players were substituted with locals after the matter came into public knowledge, although no official complaints were submitted by other state contingents.
“This does not mean the state will not participate in sepak takraw in Sukma 2018 because we still have many talented locals who can be called up for the team,” said Karim, who was the state contingent’s chef-de-mission for the Sukma 2016.