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- Abdul Karim (back row, seventh left) with the organising committee and Selangor boys’ team.
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- Abdul Karim (back row, eighth left) with the organising committee and Johor’s girls.
SIBU: Selangor and Johor have every reason to celebrate as their boys’ and girls’ teams triumphed in the 16th Milo-Malaysia Youth Under-14 Volleyball Championship 2016 which concluded at Sibu Volleyball indoor stadium at Rejang Park here on Saturday night.
Selangor’s boys outwitted Sarawak in straight sets of 25-20, 25-18, 25-20 in the final. With the defeat, the homesters settled for second spot while Johor came third.
In the earlier final match for the girls’ category, Johor vanquished Sarawak 25-18, 25-20, 25-14 to take home the champion trophy. Selangor were placed third.
In the boys’ category, Ng Hong Jun of Selangor was declared as best server, Ling Sieng Han of Sarawak as best receiver, Hue Feng Hao of Selangor as the best setter, Joseph Liang Qin Wen of Selangor as best spiker, Ahmad Johari Army Rais of Selangor as best blocker, Joseph Liang Qin Wen of Selangor as most valuable player and Ling Sii Nen from Selangor as best coach.
In the girls’ category, Chia Xin Ying of Johor was best server, Chroe Wong Rong Rong of Sarawak as best receiver, Roselind Chew Jia Qian of Johor as best setter, Irene Siah Qi Min of Johor as the best spiker, Amy Sia Xin Yun of Sarawak as best blocker, Irene Siah Qi Min of Johor as the most valuable player and Tey Seong Teng of Johor as the best coach.
Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who officiated at the closing ceremony, was nevertheless pleased that both Sarawak teams had improved on their performance this year owing that they were third in standings at last year’s championships held in Pahang.
He said from his observation during the final match for the boys’ category, he was fascinated with performance of the Selangor team which was a better team albeit a promising Sarawak.
On the last tournament held in Sarawak 12 years ago, he said this year despite the current economy towards end of the year, it was not easy to obtain sponsors for organising the national event.
In this connection, he congratulated the organising committee of Sarawak Volleyball Association (SAVA) for a job well done for the success of the tournament.
To athletes outside Sarawak, he extended his warmest welcome and hoped they would be back again with their parents for holidays as Sarawak is an interesting place to visit.
In his speech earlier, president of Malaysia Volleyball Association (Mava), Dr Gregory Hii Sui Cheng, said there was still room for the participating teams to improve on their skills in preparation for next year’s tournament.
Chairman of SAVA Dr William Ting Wee Ung and the organising chairman Dato’ Moh Wung Ming were among those present.