Sarawak ‘ready to rumble’ in 128 days

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Kong gives words of encouragement to the players.

SIBU: Sarawak Sports Corporation chief executive officer Dr Ong Kong Swee said Sarawak’s preparation for upcoming Johor Malaysia Games (Sukma) is now 80 per cent complete.

The state contingent will take part in 32 sports including e-sport.

“We are putting on the finishing touches and all our players and athletes are ready to rumble,” he told reporters after checking on the Sukma volleyball squad training at Sibu Volleyball Stadium on Tuesday night.

He was accompanied by Sibu Volleyball Association president Dr Wiliam Ting Wei Ung and chairman Dato Moh Wung Ming.

Ong, however, was tight-lipped when asked how many medals Sarawak is targeting.

He disclosed that most sports will finalise their list of athletes by the end of this month.

On the allowance for athletes, he reminded sport associations to write in and follow the proper procedure for reimbursements or other logistics.

He also commented on the effect of the Covid-19 outbreak on overseas exposure for athletes.

‘If the situation remains unfavourable in the next few weeks, we may have to stick to Plan B and that is to focus on the training in selected areas within Sarawak,” he said.

Earlier, speaking to the volleyball players who are aiming to win both the men and women’s titles, Ong reminded all that the Johor Sukma is only 128 days away.

‘I am very confident with the players from the volleyball teams as the fitness level is there,” he said.

The players will travel to Kuching next week to continue their centralised training.

“Stay focused and remember (that) it’s your mental strength that is going to get the better of you.

“Do not feel intimidated and always think positively that you can beat your opponents,” he told them.