KUCHING: About 25 participants turned up yesterday for the Sukma XVI physiology and mental strength conditioning workshop organised by the National Institute of Sports Sarawak Satellite Centre.
Centre head Joshua Philip said the participants comprised head coaches, assistant coaches, sports association officials and gym instructors from the Sarawak State Sports Council (MSNS) Gym.
“The coaches represented softball, muaythai, basketball, silambam and judo and their presence, especially those sports which have not gotten the green light from MSNS to compete in Sukma XVI, shows how strong their commitment is to participating in the Games,” he said.
Joshua said the three-day course also served to brief participants on the functions and facilities of Institute of Sports Sarawak Satellite Centre and the MSNS Gym.
The workshop covers gym equipment and safety management, anatomy and physiology, strength training, fitness assessment, recovery and periodisation.
He said such workshops are normally held to prepare coaches and athletes to face the physical and mental challenges in every Sukma and also to reinforce their knowledge in sports science and its application.
Joshua added that during the workshop, an assessment would be made on the stage of preparation by the coaches for their athletes.
To date, Sarawak has confirmed taking part in eight events namely table tennis, judo, men’s futsal, bodybuilding, muaythai (Thai kick-boxing), fencing, artistic gymnastics and women’s indoor volleyball.
Other events to be participated under the ‘C’ category are handball, netball, basketball, beach volleyball, kabbadi, cricket, softball and rugby.