243 swimmers for Sibu Age-group Championship

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Kuo (left) and Hii at a press conference.

SIBU: A total number of 243 swimmers from 20 schools here have entered for the Sibu Age-group Invitational Championship to be held at Bukit Lima Swimming Pool from Jan 12 to 14.

They will compete in 192 events classified into six age categories for boys and girls.

“For the first time, two paralympic swimmers from Kanowit are in the championship.

“This is a good sign and hopefully, for the future championships, we will continue to attract more paralympic swimmers,” Sibu Amateur Swimming Association (Sasa) president Oliver Kuo told a press conference on Wednesday.

With him was Sasa secretary Tony Hii, who is also the event organising chairman.

Among the primary schools, SJK Methodist is sending the biggest contingent of 37 swimmers followed by SJK Tung Hua with 32, SJK Ek Thei (15), SJK Su Lai (13), SJK Chung Sing (10), two each from SJK Taman Rajang, SJK Kiew Nan, SUDC No. 4 and one each from SK Agama and SJK Chung Hua.

Among secondary schools, SMK Chung Hua has entered 39 swimmers, SMK Methodist (33), SMK Sacred Heart (13), Catholic High (10), SM Wong Nai Siong (10), SMK Tung Hua (6), Woodlands International School (5), SMK Lanang (1) and SMK St Elizabeth (1).

The meet serves as a platform to select swimmers for the Sarawak Age-group Championship in Miri from Feb 2 to 4.

Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King is expected to officiate at the closing ceremony on Jan 14 at 5.30pm.

Meanwhile, Kuo expressed his disappointment that SJK Taman Rajang is only entering two swimmers this year. “SJK Taman Rajang used to rule the pool in the past years,” he lamented.

Ta Ann Group is sponsoring all the trophies and medals for the championship.