Young paddlers aim to deliver against nation’s best

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Ong (third right) presents the state flag to Wee (third left) while Paul Ling (fifth right), secretary Moh Fook Choi (fourth right), SSC official Hafizah Hanafi, Betong Table Tennis Association chairman James Chen (left) and others look on at the Sarawak Stadium yesterday.

KUCHING: Sarawak are looking to do well in the 32nd Milo-Malaysia Hopes Table Tennis Championship at SJKC Sempalit Hall, in Raub, Pahang from Nov 27 to Dec 1.

The state is represented by 10 boys and 10 girls in the U13 and U10 categories comprising singles, doubles and team events.

Table Tennis Association of Sarawak (TTAS) deputy chairman Paul Ling Kiing Tasn said Sarawak are targeting to win two gold and two silver medals this year.

In the 31st edition, Sarawak collected one gold, one silver and three bronze medals.

“We are banking on the players to deliver the gold in the Boys U13 and Girls U13 team events while the silver may come from the doubles in this age group.

“I am expecting the competition to be very keen and tough and as usual our strongest rivals are our traditional foes Kuala Lumpur and Selangor,” Ling told the Borneo Post after the flag presentation ceremony at the Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) office at Sarawak Stadium yesterday.

SSC CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee handed over the state colours to TTAS president Dato Richard Wee Liang Chiat and wished the team the best of luck in their endeavour to bring glory and honour to the state.

“Skills wise, our paddlers are on par with their counterparts but they are less experienced because there are too few tournaments being held here.

“Whereas in Semenanjung Malaysia especially in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, due to their close vicinity, they are basically competing in some tournament or another almost every week,” revealed Ling.

Sarawak Boys U13 team is made up of Chong Kai Jit, Edwin Tan Poh Jun, Boon Jia Quan, Darren Goh Shang Loong and Bryan Ngu Zhu Kiet while carrying the Boys U10 challenge are Gilbert Liew Shen Hong, Johnny Wong Jean Ling, Ryan Tiong Ka Siong, Loh Thai Yi and Nathan Lu Jun Xi.

The Girls U13 team comprises Angeline Tian Xuan, Joanne Chen Yu Xi, Too Ying Xin, Constance Tiong Hui Yuan and Malyn Mo Tian Yang and making the Girls U10 team are Josyne Ngu Jya Synn, Audrey Hong Jing Wen, Daphne Ting, Liong Ming En and Bong Wan Qing.