Wong (seated at third right), Ting (third right) with the rest of the WFS office-bearers after the management committee meeting.
KUCHING: Affiliate clubs of the Wushu Federation of Sarawak (WFS) received a pat for their contribution of athletes to the state Sukma teams over the years.
In commending the clubs especially Kelab Wushu Permai Timur under coach Wong Hua Yiing and Sungai Merah Wushu Club under coach Lam Chee Kiong and Tiong Yong Hee, WFS deputy president James Ting said the athletes were developed under the elite training programme to carry the state’s challenge in Sukma.
The other clubs are Kelab Wushu Rajang and Kelab Wushu Jelutong Sarikei under coach Lyde Lait.
“At the recently concluded Sukma XIX in Perak, the athletes who originated from Sibu have contributed medals to the state wushu squad,” he said at the third WFS management committee meeting in Sibu last Sunday.
Also present were president Allen Wong Siew Poh, vice presidents Kho Hu Chuan, Wong Hua Yiing, Tiong Yong Hee and Lyde Lait, secretary Lucas Lim Tee Kiat, treasurer William Bong Kuet Jung and MSNS coach Lau Hui Wei cum WFS committee member.
“Clement Ting Su Wei, who is now in the national squad, is from SJK Guong Ann. He won one gold (men’s daoshu) and one silver (men’s changquan) while non-Chinese athlete Muhammad Asri Abdul Wahab from SMK Kampung Nangka, won the silver in the men’s taijijian, Chiew Sow Hong from SMK Tung Hua was the bronze medalist in the men’s nangun.
“Up and coming young Stephanie Ngu Cai Ern who is from SJK Thai Kwang Sibu before moving to SK Kenyalang Kuching and then to Chung Hua Middle School No. 3, bagged the silver in women’s jianshu and bronze in the women’s qiangshu,” Ting pointed out.
According to him, former athletes from Sibu who have also contributed medals to the state Sukma team included Johnny Hii Tai Wee, Wee Jun Jie and Amelia Su Li Wen.
“On behalf of WFS, I would like to extend my appreciation to all the coaches for helping to produce high calibre athletes for the state team over these years,” said Ting.
Meanwhile, Allen Wong said it is high time that the State government expedite the building of the smart stadium and centre to enable WFS utilise proper facilities for its training and development programmes.
He added that WFS are also planning to send more potential athletes for training stints in China in preparing them for the future Sukma.
“A few athletes will be undergoing longer training stints like three to six months to improve their skills and upgrade their standard,” he said.
“Apart from that, WFS will be organising more competitions to give our athletes more exposure and engage foreign coaches,” added Wong.
Lim, who is also Sukma team manager, said that on top of more intensive training both local and abroad, sports psychology would also be introduced to improve the medal haul at the Sukma Johor 2020.