This is the first time for Sarawak to reach the last eight stage of any age-group competition held at national schools level.

The state team won the toss and elected to bat and managed 117 runs in the allotted 25 overs. Perlis were bundled out for just 19 runs.

Both team manager, Mutalib Hussain and coach, Silimun Buyung were very pleased with the players’ performance and expressed confidence that they will continue to do the best in the remaining games.

PROUD MINISTER AND FATHER: Mawan (sixth left) presenting a cheque to Pamg Joheng who is father of national diving queen Pandelela Rinong.

KUCHING: Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) have granted cheques to three prominent Dayak athletes as a token of appreciation for their recent successes in the sport of diving.

Bryan Nickson Lomas, Pandelela Rinong and Traisy Vivien Tukiet, currently among the nation’s best athletes, are rewarded by SDNU for their efforts.

According to SDNU president and Senior Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, more Dayaks should emulate the successes of the Bryan, Pandelela and Traisy. This is because the athletes have done Malaysia proud in sports.

“These three athletes are also a true testimony to what being successful through hard work is all about. We want to share the nation’s joy for their achievements,” he said.

Mawan told reporters during a press conference here yesterday that the three athletes are the pride of the Dayak community in Sarawak.

For her success in winning the Olympic bronze medal at the London Games last year, Pandelela received RM35,000. She created national history by becoming the first Malaysian woman ever to win a medal in the Olympic Games.

Bryan and Traisy received RM10,000 each for their participation in the London Olympics.

Pandelela’s mother Hartini Lamim expressed her gratitude by thanking SDNU for their appreciation of her daughter’s achievement.

“My daughter loves diving and is at the same time proud to be Dayak. I am glad that SDNU acknowledges her contribution to the nation,” she said.

Hartini added that it is important that Pandelela is appreciated by her own community.

Traisy’s mother Nila Jinggot hopes that the recognition will act as a motivation for her daughter to do even better in sports.

“I thank SDNU for their acknowledgment today. We are grateful indeed,” she remarked.

The cheques were presented to the families of the athletes in Mawan’s office at the Baitulmakmur Building (MASJA) yesterday.

The nimble Zou, light flyweight gold medallist at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, begins his quest for world domination in Macau on April 6 against the little-known Mexican Eleazar Valenzuela.

Zou, a three-time amateur world champion, is well known in his homeland, where boxing was banned under Mao Zedong. Now he hopes to extend his reputation to a global audience and put China on the map as a force in the sport.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to become a professional boxer, now that I have this opportunity, I want to see if I can become a world champion, that is the goal that I hope to achieve,” he told AFP in an exclusive interview.

Zou has signed with Bob Arum’s Las Vegas-based Top Rank promotions and been training under the celebrated Freddie Roach. Roach has drawn comparisons between Zou and another brilliant Asian, the Filipino Manny Pacquiao.

“Freddie has been incredible, he has made the transition from amateur to professional very easy and I love working with him,” Zou said in remarks emailed to AFP.

“That is a great compliment,” he said of the comparisons to Pacquiao, “however, I am just starting my professional career and Manny is a world champion many times over.

“I hope to one day be on that same stage but I need to improve and work as hard as I can.”

Zou, who has been training in the United States in the build-up to his highly anticipated professional debut, explained the reason for his move to turn pro at the relatively late age of 31.

“I decided to stay another four years and compete in the London Olympic Games as an amateur.

“Now I am looking forward to becoming a professional fighter.”

And what would he reply to people who say he left it too long?

“It’s never too late to follow your dreams.”

Standing at five feet, five inches (1.65 metres), Zou, who is from Guizhou, southern China, appears to have impressed Roach, who has worked with some of the best in the business.

“He picks things up very quickly and I think he’ll be champion in a short time. I told Bob (Arum) that within a year this guy will be the world champion,” Roach said.

“I know that’s a fast track, but with his amateur experience, I think that we can go that way.”

Zou, who is known for his fast hands and fast footwork, says that he hopes to inspire a generation of Chinese boxers.

“Boxing is developing (there) and more and more people are becoming fans of the sport, so that is great to see,” he said.

“I hope that more and more people can enjoy the sport of boxing, and if my performance helps to grow the sport, then that makes me happy.” — AFP

CORBUSIER BROTHERS: Laurel Lauridsen Adrian (right) looks to give Team Corbusier a win in CycleFest Sarawak 2013 along with new teammate Sylvester Ding.

KUCHING: Team Corbusier’s Laurel Lauridsen Adrian is looking to give his team the perfect start to the 2013 season with success in this weekend’s CycleFest Sarawak.

The 21-year-old UiTM sport science student is a highly rated rider in the cycling fraternity.

“I really think we have a very good chance for the CycleFest as our training has been going very well,” Laurel said.

In Sarawak cycle racing, Team Corbusier is the dominant team as they are well funded and have what is considered the best coaching programme.

“I think their coaching programme is one reason why Garry Tay left us to join Corbusier,” revealed Team 3Gx’s Tay Kok Fook about an interesting post-season development in Kuching last year.

Only 17-years-old, Tay shocked everyone in his rookie season when he won the Sarawak Closed Championship last October when 3GX set him and Andy Kueh for a two-men breakaway that the pack could not chase down.

“Sylvester Ding also left us for Corbusier,” Tay said.

Ding, 25, is considered a specialist mountain biker.

Team 3GX has no sponsors or coaches while Corbusier is sponsored by team principal Safri Mohammed through his PU Architects firm.

Laurel is glad to have Tay and Ding join the team.

“Sylvester’s house is just in front of mine, so it was natural I asked him to consider joining Corbusier,” Laurel explained.

“It’s too bad Garry is no longer with 3GX but it’s best for his future development. However, I warned him that he now have to fight for his place in Corbusier,” said Kok Fook, whose shop Cycle Hub is the team’s headquarters.

In conjunction with the CycleFest, the shop is having a sale and will also have a booth at this weekend’s Padang Merdeka event.

They are also organising a computerised 3D bike-fitting session with certified personnel bringing in equipment from Singapore.

While Lundu’s Junaidah Juss, one of the top Malaysian women mountainbikers, is crying out for support, Laurel has no such problems.

Under Corbusier’s sponsorship, all he needs to do is train and race hard.

However, he does have to pull double duty as assistant to team coach Supian Nor, the long-time Sarawak champion.

It is a small price to pay for what he is getting, as far as he is concerned.

The sport science major is grateful for his Corbusier sponsorship.

“Bascially, I started from scratch here in Sarawak and Safri Mohammed through Team Corbusier has brought me to where I am today,” he said.

The team has been working on their team trial techniques as they prepare for the big race.

“Our speed has been really consistent and the teamwork is there,” Laurel added.

KEENLY CONTESTED: Stanley Nyadang (right) from KV Betong blocking KV Miri’s Banta Langsat’s kick. Betong beat Miri 2-1 in sepak takraw.

BETONG: Kolej Vokasional (KV) Miri emerged the overall champions of the VokTek Sports Carnival Zone Sarawak when they won two out of the five events contested at KV Betong from March 22 to 25.

KV Miri were champions in football and softball, and runner-up in sepak takraw to accumulate 110 points. KV Sibu captured the rugby and netball titles to finish second overall with 100 points.

Host KV Betong won the sepak takraw title and was runner-up in football to finish in third overall with 90 points.

Coming in from fourth to seventh placings were KV Matang, Bintulu, Kuching and Sejingkat respectively.

In football , KV Betong’s Mohd. Ismail received the Golden Boot Award after scoring six goals for the tournament while his college mate Stanley Nyadang was named Best Player in sepak takraw.

Michmilton from KV Sibu was awarded Top Scorer in rugby competition while his college mate Alicia Ting received thev Best Player award in netball.

More than 500 students from seven vocational and technical colleges in the state competed in the four-day sports carnival jointly organised by Ministry of Education and KV Betong.

Deputy operation director for vocational and technical education Zainuren Mohd. Nur who officiated at the closing of the event, said he was pleased with the spirit and commitment shown by the athletes and officials.

He added that the carnival, which drew participation from both seniors and juniors, was aimed at promoting friendly competition among the
seven vocational-technical colleges and cultivating the values of fair play and good sportsmanship.

“For the seniors, the carnival was a welcome respite from the long hours of studying and preparing for the City and Guild technical examination. For the juniors, it was an opportunity to re-live the memories of the games sessions during their Orientation programme held earlier this year,” Zainuren Mohd. Nur told The Borneo Post on Monday.

He also revealed that the Sports Carnival was the ideal platform to select athletes for the national level meet to be held in Bukit Jalil in June.

Also present were the directors of the various vocational and technical colleges in Sarawak.

NEROSHA ON THE RISE: Seventeen-year-old Nerosha (centre) attributes her success to her supportive family and sponsorship by Naim. She poses with her father and sister here.

Nerosha Keligit, a 17-year-old lass from Kuching and a Naim-sponsored athlete, is helping to fly the Sarawak flag high with her outstanding performances in tenpin bowling.

Born to an Indian father and Kayan mother, the southpaw has been striking it big in state and national competitions such as the Sarawak League Sport Excel Championship, Sarawak Closed Championship, Sarawak League, Sabah League, Malaysia Closed Championship, ASTRO 36th Malaysian National and 25th Interstate Bowling Championship 2012.

The following are excerpts of the interview with Nerosha.

BP: Please tell us about yourself

Nerosha: I come from a family of seven and I have four siblings – two older brothers, one younger brother and one younger sister. I’m the third child in the family and am currently studying at SMK DPHA Gapor in the science stream. My father is in the scrap metal business while my mum is a civil servant.

BP: How did you get into this sport?

Nerosha: My parents have always encouraged us to participate in healthy recreational activities. We normally go bowling at a bowling centre near my house. I picked up bowling because I found it to be an interesting game. My mum was very supportive when I showed a keen interest in the sport.

BP: Tell us about the time when you went into competitive bowling

Nerosha: I started bowling at the age of 11 and stated competitive bowling when I was 13. I won the Sarawak League Sport Excel Championship at 13 years old followed by the Sarawak Closed Championship. At the age of 15, I got picked for the inter-state team. At 16, I grabbed four titles back to back.

BP: What are the recent championships which you have won?

Nerosha: I won the Penang Open Bowling Championship held from 10th – 17th December 2012 and All Star Bowling Competition held in KL from 18th 22nd December 2012. I also participated in the Sarawak Closed Championship in February 2013, which I won. In March this year, I joined the national youth bowling selection in KL and finished top among the girls. I competed against bowlers from all states and was the only Sarawakian girl to have landed a spot on the Malaysian Youth Team.

For that selection, I had to bowl 48 games in four days, which was pretty tough. But it was a good run. The national coach has also contacted me about representing Malaysia in bowling. I’m thankful for all these.

BP: You are a Naim sponsored athlete – how did that come about?

Nerosha: Competitive bowling can be quite expensive, for example the ball alone can cost RM500 – RM600, not to mention the air fare and accommodation when I travel outside Sarawak. We have a family friend who actually recommended us to approach Naim for help as they knew that Naim provides sponsorships for sport activities such as soccer and badminton youth development programmes. When I applied for the sponsorship in 2012, I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew I needed to do something, looking at the cost.

I got a surprise when a Naim representative got back to us not long after that and said that the company would provide some sponsorship for me. I was so happy, as the sponsorship helped to reduce my expenses. I applied to Naim for sponsorship again recently and Naim approved my application again. I’m very grateful to Naim for all their help and for their faith in me – this will help me to further develop in the sport and it motivates me to do better in competitions.

BP: What do you do to prepare yourself for competitive bowling?

Nerosha: As any athlete, you need to be self-motivated. You need to continuously push yourself to the limit and go beyond your limits – I look at myself in the mirror everyday and say ‘I’m Nerosha, and I want to be a champion’. In addition to my normal training, I train intensively five days before the competition to boost my self confidence.

BP: Do you see yourself as a professional bowler in the future?

Nerosha: Well, anything can happen. Of course, I’m quite attracted to the idea but we’ll see.

However, I will be sitting for SPM this year and I would also like to pursue further studies in Law – so I want to work towards that.

BP: Any words of advice to the youths out there?

Nerosha: To all out there – never stop believing in yourself. Be focused on your goal. If you fall, get up and try harder. All the good things in life are worth fighting for. To Naim, thank you again for believing in me.

CARING LEADER: Assistant Sports Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin sharing a light moment with the state paddlers during his visit to the Kuching Elite Table Tennis Training Centre at Tai-Chi Centre, Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho yesterday.

KUCHING: State young paddlers are expected to face an uphill task in winning medals at Sukma XVI in Kuala Lumpur from June 28 to July 7 but they must rise up to the challenge and to give only the best that they have.

Assistant Minister of Sports Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who visited the Kuching Elite Table Tennis Training Centre at Tai-Chi Centre, Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho yesterday, said it would be very tough challenge for the state paddlers.

“They will be competing against national paddlers from Selangor, Pulau Pinang and Kedah who have been intensively trained at Bukit Jalil Sports School,” he said.

“There is a big difference in the age of national players and that of ours, so I expect our paddlers to really face tough fights at Sukma,” said Lee who added that there was a need to train back-up players for continuity.

Sukma selection committee chairman Helena Christine Wee said Sarawak are fielding five boys and five girls for the Sukma challenge.

“Out of the 10 players, only two have experience in playing in Sukma. They are Wendy Lau who have played in three Sukma and Edward Ling was a member of the boys squad at Sukma XV in Kuala Lumpur in 2011,” she said.

The medal collection in 2011 was one gold, three silvers and two bronze medals.

“We will try our very best to win medals for the state contingent and put up a good fight,” said Wee who added that the paddlers will be helped in the training by Liu Guan Qun, the sparring partner from Hebei, China.

Other members of the boys team are Clement Sim, Rayford Kho and Chai Kiang Ann while the rest of girls are Tang Wen Jiun and Ting Ying Hii, Sia Hsiao Hung and Foo Wui Jia.

The squad will undergo centralised training in Kuching from May 24 to June 23.

Wee said there are also plans to send the players for exposure at the National Youth U-18 and U-15 Table Tennis Championships in Terengganu from June 5-8 and probably a training stint in Hebei or Beijing China.

The two-day event is aimed to promote cycling as a healthy activity among the local community especially the youths.

The inaugural event will be held at around Taman Desa Ilmu and along Jalan Datuk Mohd Musa at Kota Samarahan.

“The bike challenge will be divided into six categories namely the highway team event, criterium (men’s open) event, mountain bike criterium (men’s open and Samarahan men’s close event, criterium (women’s open) event, and the Samarahan men’s close BMX bicycle race,” Samarahan district officer Ainnie Wahab said yesterday.

For the team category, participating cycling clubs are allowed to enter between five to 20 cyclists while in the close event categories, only those who are from, residing or working in Samarahan district are allowed to participate in the particular event.

“We are targeting approximately 150 participants for this bike challenge and so far we have about 80 participants from public higher learning institutions (IPTA) and cycling club members who had registered,” disclosed Ainnie, adding that attractive cash prizes will be awarded to the top five winners from each category.

The registration fee for the team category is RM100, RM30 for the individual open categories and RM10 for the Samarahan close criterium event.

Those who are interested to participate are required to submit the registration forms to the Samarahan District Office two weeks prior to the event date.

Further inquiries can be obtained by call 082-671148.

He said they should at least try to organise one national or international event in Sarawak annually.

“Try to bring in at least one or more international events like what the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) has been doing over the years,” he said at the welcoming and fellowship dinner for the Asia-Oceania Pre-Qualifying events for World Junior Team (Boys/Girls), Junior Fed Cup and Junior Davis Cup at a local hotel.

Lee, also Assistant Minister of Communications, said by organising national and international competitions, the sports associations concerned would not only give their athletes the opportunity to compete at a higher level, gain good exposure but also help to project state’s good image as hosts. He commended SLTA for its commitment to accept the challenge in organising the 3-in-1 events consecutively which is a tall order.

“The State government through the Ministry of Social Development will continue to render assistance from time to time to support tennis development in Sarawak,” he said.

“We hope that you will continue on with the good job and I hope other sports associations will be able to emulate SLTA in bringing in international events to Kuching,” Lee enthused.

The assistant minister was also pleased that many young and aspiring boys and girls are representing the 19 teams from 12 countries in the pre-qualifying events. “Tennis is picking up very fast in the West and Central Asia regions and the efforts by Asian Tennis Federation and the International Tennis Federation in continuing to promote and develop tennis worldwide is bearing fruit,” said Lee.

Also present at the dinner were SLTA president Dato Patrick Liew and his committee members, ITF representative Suresh Menon and ITF referee Hany El Khafief.

GO FOR IT: Assistant Sports Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin (centre), the officials and players giving the thumbs-up for their coming challenge at MSSM Table Tennis Championship in Kelantan, at the Kuching Elite Table Tennis Training Centre at Tai-Chi Centre, Jalan Laksaman Cheng Ho yesterday. — Photo by Teo Chi Wei

KUCHING: Ten boys and ten girls will shoulder Sarawak’s challenge at the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) Table Tennis Championship in Kelantan from Mar 25-29.

The boys are Louis Chung, Joel Chen, Ho Zong Chun, Andy Jong, Clement Sim and Jason Siaw (Kuching), Alan Teo Jie (Samarahan), Sii Hoe Hong,

Alex Lo and Ling Chin Sing (Miri) while the girls are Tay Lynn Jia, Sammi Tay, Joan Chung, Elicia Tsai, Ting Ying Hii and Kylie Teo (Kuching), Karen Lyne Dick, Crystal Tiong and Michelle Ling (Sibu), and Foo Wui Jia (Miri).

Acting Kota Samarahan District Education Officer Juhari Pawi is the contingent leader while the team managers are Clement Chong and Jee Jin Lung. The coaches are Lai Jun Siew, Lim Chooi Fang, David tung, Ling Ching Ang, Then Jit Kho and Grace Teng while the team chaperon is Tan Mooi Kim.

At last year’s MSSM championship, Sarawak captured five gold, two silver and four bronze medals to finish second overall.

Meanwhile, Assistant Sports Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin visited the team yesterday while the players were undergoing their final day of centralised training and gave them words of encouragement.

The players and officials will leave for Kuala Lumpur today and catch a transit flight to Kelantan.

MAKING MIRI PROUD: (From left) E Tao, Ling, Lo, Sii, Foo and Teng Ping posing for a group at Miri Airport before leaving for their centralised training in Kuching.

MIRI: Four Miri players were selected to represent the state for the Majlis Sukan Sekolah Malaysia (MSSM) Table Tennis Championship to be held at Kota Baru, Kelantan on March 25 –29.

According to the team’s the four selected players were Ling Chin Sing, 17, of SM Riam Miri, Alex Lo Lik Fu,17, (SMK Chung Hua Miri), Foo Wui Jia,14, (SM Pei Min Miri) and Sii Hoe Hong,12, (SRK Riam Miri).

Both Lo and Ling will participate in the singles event and also in the doubles event while Foo (secondary school) and Sii (primary school) will take part in the team and singles event.

The Miri players together with their team official, Teng E Tao and coach, Teng Ping left for Kuching recently to join others for the centralised training.

IN TRAINING: Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) co-ordinator for softball Harifen Mansor (third right) gave a briefing to the trainees while new state softball coach, Manuel Damolo Bacarisas Jr (right) looked on during a training session at Politeknik Mukah field recently.

KUCHING: State softball squad are placing high hopes on newly appointed coach Manuel Damolo Bacarisas Jr to lead them on a strong challenge at Sukma XVI in Kuala Lumpur from June 28 to July 7.

The 37-year-old coach from Cebu City, Philippines was former national coach of Brunei and reported for duty with Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) on March 1.

He is currently stationed in Miri to improve the standard of softball in Sarawak.

According to MSNS’ co-ordinator for softball Harifen Mansor, joint efforts are being made by Sarawak Softball Association and MSNS to search for potential players in Miri, Mukah, Betong and Kuching.

“Presently, we have 25 male and 25 female potential players in four centres who are registered as shadow team members,” said Harifen.

He said the number would be trimmed down to 17 males and 17 females for the final squad which will take on the challenge at Sukma XVI.

“The centralised training will be held for one month in Miri at end of May,” he revealed.

Meanwhile, Bacarisas said he will be focusing on the throwing and batting techniques of the players.

“If they have the strong commitment and follow my instructions, I am confident they can improve their performance in the coming Sukma,” he said when met during a training session at the Politenik Mukah softball training centre on Wednesday.

Swimming Australia president Barclay Nettlefold said Nugent would remain with the sport but no longer wanted to continue as head coach, as he rejected press reports he was sacked as “categorically wrong”.

Nettlefold said the 61-year-old had approached officials to discuss his future and made it clear he wanted a different role after the pressures of being in charge of the nation’s high-performance swim squad.

“As far as we’re concerned Leigh still had our confidence,” Nettlefold told reporters, adding that Nugent would take an extended break before returning in a youth development and coach mentor role.

“Leigh’s got more experience in swimming than most people in the world: he’s a great ambassador for the sport, he’s done a lot of great things and we want to continue to have Leigh in the sport.”

Nugent had been under pressure after reports into Australia’s disappointing performance in the Olympic pool found drunkenness, misuse of prescription drugs and bullying were among “toxic” incidents at the Games.

So bad was morale, one swimmer described the 2012 London Games as the “lonely Olympics”, one report revealed.

A broader review into the sport’s high performance programme also found failings in strategic planning and lack of transparency in decision-making, which fuelled disillusionment.

Australia’s swimmers won just one gold medal, six silver and three bronze in London – their lowest tally in the pool since 1992 in Barcelona.

The team also went without an individual gold medal for the first time since the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

“Leigh accepted responsibility for the team’s performance: he never shied away from that,” Nettlefold said.

“And I think he felt fairly remorseful, but you know, Leigh’s tired and he just feels he needs to move on in his life.”

Nugent became head coach in 2009, and in 2010 was appointed until the end of 2013 with a further three-year option that could have seen him continue through to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

It was not his first stint in the job – he was in charge of the team for the nation’s most successful Olympics outside of Australia, winning seven gold medals, five silver and three bronze in Athens in 2004.Nugent said it was a tough decision to stand aside, but the right one.

“It’s been an honour and a privilege to coach the Australian swim team at the highest level, and I’m just pleased that I’m able to stay involved in the sport that I love,” he said in a statement. — AFP

EVERYTHING IS FINE: Hii (centre) reporting on last year and upcoming events at the SDAAA AGM. From left is Tay and Ting.

SIBU: Sibu Division Amateur Athletics Association (SDAAA) president Dr Gregory Hii hopes the State Government would let Sibu host part of 2016 Malaysia Games (Sukma) which will be held in Sarawak.

“The Malaysia Games will be coming to Sarawak in 2016 and, hopefully, the government will host some of the events outside Kuching so as to promote and upgrade these towns,” he said during SDAAA annual general meeting recently.

Among those at the function were Sarawak School Sports Council technical committee chairman cum SDAA secretary Ting Siew Nguong and treasurer Tay Kwoil Hock.

Hii said he had in mind volleyball and athletics for Sibu to host.

“There can be no denial that Sibu currently has one of the best volleyball stadiums in the state, if not in the country. And, we have the experience to organize events at Sukma level,” he said.

The RM6 million Sibu Prudential Volleyball Association Stadium at Rejang Park is expected to be ready by the end of this year.

When fully completed, the fully integrated 4-storey building will comprise an administrative block, a gym, a canteen and the court which will have a seating capacity of about 5,000 people.

“The stadium can easily be a landmark for Sibu and that is all the reason why Sibu should be given the honor to host volleyball,” added Hii, who is also the deputy president of Sarawak Volleyball Association.

On athletics, Hii said Stadium Tun Zaidi was a suitable place. “Our running track has just been upgraded.”

Hii noted that the Pahang State Government allowed many events at Sukma 2012 to be hosted by the state’s smaller towns.

On SDAAA, Hii said it was growing from strength to strength as indicated by the number of events it organised each year.

He recalled the 7th edition of the Sibu Open Athletics Championship 2012 which he said had become a major attraction to athletes from throughout the state.

“This two-day meet attracted about 500 athletes.

“Sibu Open is the only athletics competition in Malaysia where cash incentives are offered to the winners,” he stated.

Added Hii: “Thus far, eight bodies have offered to sponsor the championship. They are KTS Sdn Bhd, Delta Leasing Sdn Bhd, TaAnn Holdings, TN Sports, MacDonald Bhd, Prudential, Marathon Sports Club and SDAAA.

“Our financial position is very healthy. Currently, our account has a surplus balance of more than RM70,000,” he said.

Hii also reminded the school sports teachers to work harder and produce athletes of outstanding calibre.

He admitted SDAAA was getting lukewarm response from students taking part in active sports.

“There are lots of distraction nowadays with the parents placing too much emphasis on academic achievements,” he said, calling for a balance in study and engagement in sports.

AGAINST THE ODDS: SM Sains Lahad Datu players celebrating after defending the Zon SQL Hockey Championship title at Sarawak Hockey Stadium on Sunday.

KUCHING: A golden goal from Reyjhafar Md Razali in the 4th minute of extra time sealed the win for SM Sains Lahad Datu in the Zon SQL (Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan) Hockey Championship last Sunday.

The defending champion beat SM Sains Kuching 2-1 in the close game played at Sarawak Hockey Stadium.

After a scoreless first half, Fredrick Jau Jok scored first for SM Sains Kuching. After wasting six penalty corners, SM Sains Lahad Datu equalized in the 33th minute when Ramlan Bahar collected a deflected ball from SM Sains Kuching goal keeper to hit it into the top of the net.

Both teams were tied up 1-1 at the end of regulation time.

SM Sains Lahad Datu coach Jumadi Lahilo was elated with the win especially after his team’s training was interrupted by the ongoing skirmish in the district.

“It feels like we are winning a national level tournament for the state of Sabah. Some of the boys, Muhammad Afif Zawawi, Rahman Bejamin and Safiq are playing their best hockey of the year, and other boys have undergone only two days of training after the school was closed” he added.

Earlier in the girl’s competition, SM Sains Miri emerged champion after beating SM Sains Labuan 2-0. The competition, jointly organised by SM Sains Kuching and SM Sains Kuching Utara, was held from March 13 to 17 to select players to represent Borneo in the national-level SM Sains Sports Carnival to be held in Melaka in June.

WELL DONE: Fadillah presenting the prizes to winners at the event.

KUCHING: Abu Bakar Osaman of Team C9 emerged as champion for Class A of the 4th Zenoah Malaysia R/C Power Boat Competition held at the lake near Bangunan Masja yesterday.

The A category, which was opened for modified 50cc engine and above also saw Osman Hamid of Sibu finishing as the runner-up while Abang Nazzar of PJRC was third.

In Class D (43cc local modified engine/mono hull only), Khaider Ahad also from team C9 was declared champion followed by Abdul Malek Rahman of Team Viking and Ting Teck Kiong of Miri.

The Class E (26cc marine gasolione engine) was won by Samuel Mamat of Team Belaga Solo while Asraf Zapar of Team C9 and Apui Girang of Miri were second and third respectively.

Samuel continued his domination with another win in Class F (26cc marine gasoline engine/no ringger) pushing Zulhairey Madon and Mohd Iskandar of Team Racobra to second and third.

The 29cc marine gasoline engine/no ringger (Class G) title was claimed by Liew Kian Kiew of Kuching followed by Mohd Jamal of Team Racobra and Ting Siew Ping of Limbang.

Class H (G290/G300 Zenoah Marine Gasoline Engine) was won by Zik Affendi of Sibu with Dzulkarnain Hussein of Team Viking second and Yoos of Indonesia third.

Zik Affendi also captured Class I (Import Hull 26cc and 29cc Zenoah Marine Gasoline Engine) beating Samuel Mamat of Belaga Solo and Vincent Yii of Sibu to second and third respectively.

The winners received cash, a trophy, Zenoah products and a certificate each.

The three-day competition which started on March 15 saw participants from Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.

Prizes were presented by Petra Jaya Member of Parliment Datuk Fadillah Yusuf.

Dato Wee Hong Seng

In making this call yesterday, Dato Wee Hong Seng said Dexter should be left to rest in peace.

“Until we get the official results of the post-mortem from the doctor, we should not make any speculation on the cause of his death,” he advised.

Wee said Dexter’s death was a big loss to Sarawak bodybuilding as he had great potential to win at higher level competitions.

“It is a pity that he had died so young. He started taking up the sport at the age of 18 and he could have won medals if bodybuilding was included as an event at Sukma (Malaysia Games),” he lamented.

“Dexter has done his part for Sarawak and he has many achievements, winning at divisional, state and national level.”

“He passed all his doping tests when he was champion. Please put a stop to all negative remarks and speculation and let him rest in peace,” added Wee.

The news of Dexter Bong’s sudden demise shocked many in the bodybuilding fraternity in Sarawak.

Dexter, 25, was found dead in his room at Taman BDC by his mother around 7pm on Thursday.

It was learnt that the deceased had complained of feeling unwell to his father earlier in the day.

His mother said Dexter, who is the eldest of three siblings, looked fine the day before except for a chest pain whenever he had a hiccup.

“I thought it was normal for him to feel muscle pain as he was getting himself into shape over the past few weeks,” the mother was quoted as saying in a report by a national daily.

Mohd Rafizul Radiman

KUCHING: State cricket player, Mohd Rafizul Radiman was recently selected to join the national squad for training.

The 16-year-old from SMK St Thomas will also be undergoing the selection trials being held at Kinrara for the coming ACC Elite Cup Under-19 Cricket Championship to be held at Kuala Lumpur from March 1 to 13.

Sarawak Cricket Association (PKS) secretary, Gordon Chung in a press release distributed to the local media yesterday had announced that Rafizul was selected based on his sterling performance in the recent inter-state cricket championship held in January.

According to Chung, this is the first time a local Under-19 cricket player was selected to attend national training and trials.

“We have with Hafizul’s selection for the national selection and trials will motivate others to follow his footsteps,” he said in the statement.

They are Edward Ling, Jackson Yii, Ting Ung Kai, Crystal Tiong, Michelle Ling Ming, Sia Siu Hung and Sia Siu Ching.

SPPA secretary Desmond Ling conceded it would be an uphill task for the seven to qualify as they would be competing against some of the best players from Kuching and Miri.

“But, this is a chance for them to showcase their skills and to make their presence felt. The players shortlisted from the selection trials will eventually represent Sarawak for the  Sukma to be held in Bukit Jalil in June.”

Ling was not sure about the boys whom he said lacked the experience and tactical maturity to beat the players from other divisions.

“However, we are confident that our girls, especially Crystal, should be able to make the cut,” he said.

Crystal, the 13-year-old student of SMK Tung Hua, had been a revelation when she returned with the champion’s title in the Under-18 Sarawak Schools Table Tennis Championship held in Kota Samarahan recently.

It will be held at Miri Stadium on 18th and 19th March for the Miri leg followed by the Kuching leg at Kuching Civic Centre on 22nd and 23rd March from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

The programme is aimed at scouting young talents to be groomed for the Rio Olympics 2016 Sports Project.

“The structured programme is meant to identify and fast track the development of talented riders using the ‘talent-transfer’ concept to meet international standards.

Students between the ages of 17 to 27 especially those in athletics, weight lifting, hockey and netball are invited to join.

However, it is limited to five students from five schools, a chaperone per school, from Kuching and Miri divisions.