Oliver (right) with the Sarawak players and officials after the prize presentation.
KUCHING: The Sarawak team have done exceptionally well at the Majlis Sukan Sekolah-Sekolah Malaysia (MSSM) Tennis Championships in Johor from Aug 4-11.
Represented by players from Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri, the Sarawak team comprising 25 players and 12 officials collected 38 points to finish second overall behind champions Selangor who had 39 points.
Competing in the Boys U18, 15 and 12 and Girls U15 and U12 categories, Sarawak made it to all the finals and were victorious in the Boys U15 but lost to Selangor in Boys U12, Girls U12, Girls U15 and Girls U18.
Sarawak Schools Sports Council (MSSS) tennis technical chairman Oliver Rengga felt very happy and proud of the achievements of the state players as it was a very big improvement when compared the fourth placing Sarawak attained last year.
“They have played very well throughout the tournament and we didn’t expect to reach the finals.
“The team spirit was very high and the teachers and parents played their parts well in planning the strategies and line-ups,” said Oliver.
He noted that the opponents were tougher in the final stages but the U15 and U12 girls fought very hard and were beaten narrowly by Perak in both categories.
“Credit should be given to the parents who have sacrificed a lot in terms of money, time and energy in sending their children to tennis training, and to their committed coaches.
“The teachers led by Samarahan District Education Office sports unit officer Choo Lian Sin had worked very hard in guiding and looking after the team,” he added.
Oliver also relayed his appreciation to Piasau assemblyman Dato Sebastian Ting for sponsoring the T-shirts and track suits for the Sarawak contingent.
Sarawak were represented by Lim Zan Ning, Soo Hui Yii, Anastasia Wong, Hannarietta Bawih Tidan and Nathanielle Ann Lee in the Girls U12, Angeline Ong, Lau Jie Ying, Soo Hui Jen, Jancy Ceria Odau and Lydia Liong in the Girls U15.
The Boys U12 players included Ryan Lim, Ivan Oh, Ahmad Zaqwan Ahmad Ghazi, Raidon Tan and Jared Ho, Boys U15 players were Jimmy Liong, Mohd Danial Johan Ariff, Mitchell Brapui Tidan, Muhammad Sufri Kasuadi and Dauglas Austin Roland while Nicklaus Sim, Chieng Shoa Wei, Chieng Shoa Gan, Mohammad Nurhadzmi Khaidir and Muhamad Aiman Hamdan shouldered the challenge in the Boys U18.
Team officials included managers Thong Wai Tsong, Magdalena Agan, Collin Laja Naga, Emiliawati Zainal Abidin and John Masion Ruput while the coaches were Heward Engchin, Benedict Set, Noordan Pungut, Ladde Rawing and Wahab Wahidun.
The matches were played at three venues namely Perling Tennis Academy, Johor Golf and Country Club and UTM.