The gymnasts with Jumry (second right), Hairani (third right), Helena Wee (fourth left) and school teachers.
KUCHING: About 300 students, teachers and parents participated in the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) rhythmic gymnastics roadshow at SK Jalan Ong Tiang Swee on Thursday.
SSC sports development division manager Ahmad Rodzli Hashim said the roadshow was aimed at promoting the sport and create interest among the students and their parents.
“This is one of our projects for sports development which will be focusing on setting up centres in schools to get a bigger pool of talents.
“In the long term, we are also looking to get talented gymnasts whom we can groom for Sukma 2020 and Sukma 2022,” he told The Borneo Post.
According to Rodzli, SSC will be working very closely with Sarawak Amateur Gymnastics Association (SAGYMA), schools and Sarawak Education Department to produce more high calibre gymnasts to represent Sarawak in national and international competitions.
“We have chosen SK Jalan Ong Tiang Swee because they have a open hall which is ideal for training. Moreover, one of the state Sukma gymnasts (artistic) Nur Sofia Idayah Abdullah is a former student from that school,” he said, adding that SSC are targeting to set up two to three centres in Kuching, Sibu and Miri.
Sofia is a team gold medalist in Sukma 2016 held in Sarawak.
“We are focusing on sports development and we are also planning to set up similar development centres for artistic gymnastics as well as other sports throughout the state.”
“We will also be getting more coaches and conduct coaching courses especially for teachers and former Sukma athletes,” said Rodzli.
Gymnasts from Sarawak Amateur Gymnastics Association (SAGYMA) Aleana Lao Lik Phin, Toh Xuan Yong, Scarlett Yuki Chen (Sukma gymnasts), Amber Wang and Rachel Wang were involved in a demonstration of the various disciplines of rhythmic gymnastics namely hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon.
Also present were SAGYMA president Helena Christine Wee, SSC sports development unit head Ahmad Jumry Kassim who represented Rodzli and SK Jalan Ong Tiang Swee senior assistant (co-curriculum) Hairani Hamden.