MRSM Kuching shows its might in Sabah

Vincent (left) and his players celebrating their achievement in the Pan-Borneo Muafakat 10s at MRSM Tun Mustapha in Tawau, Sabah on Aug 13.

KUCHING: The MRSM Kuching rugby team scored more success this year when they emerged the champions in the Pan-Borneo Muafakat 10s at MRSM Tun Mustapha in Tawau, Sabah last Saturday (Aug 13).

They beat SMS Lahad Datu 7-0 in the Cup final for their second consecutive title after winning the Don Drury Memorial Trophy with a convincing 41-0 win over SMK Tebedu recently.

Playing in Group D, MRSM got off to a winning start when they beat SMS Lahad Datu 5-0 and went on to defeat MRSM Tawau 7-0 and top the group with six points.

Sports science must be applied in all training programmes

(Seated front row, from left) Dr Chin, Dr Ong, Salmi Lilek and Muhammad Hazwan Haziq Rusli posing with the participants.

KUCHING: Sports science must be applied in all training programmes by all sports associations to optimise the performance of athletes.

According to Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee, there are still coaches who do not appreciate the importance of sports science in their respective sports especially concerning periodisation and sports psychology.

“If coaches do not utilise the periodisation plan, it would result in more injuries that can affect their winning percentage as well as being not psychologically prepared to ‘fight’ to the end which can be seen during Sukma XVIII,” he said while opening the National Sports Science Level One (SPKK) Course on Monday.

30 attend Level I badminton coaching course

Muhtasham (seated at centre), Dr Chin (third right) and Johnny Ng (third left) posing with the participants.

KUCHING: Thirty participants from Kuching, Miri, Sibu, Sarikei and Selangor completed the BAM Sports Specific Level 1 National Badminton Coaching Course held at the Institut Teknologi Maklumat Nusantara College (NIIT) from Aug 10-14.

The five-day course, which involved theory and practical aspects of badminton, was organised by Kuching Badminton Association (KBA) in collaboration with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

BAM instructor Johnny Ng, who is also KBA coordinator, said the course was aimed at developing coaches to enhance the development and promotion of the game and sports in Sarawak.

Ka Tung, Eliza win Sarawak Golf Classic

The gross champions posing with Adenan (third left) and (from right) Sarawak Golf Association president Hoan Kee Hock, Datuk Lorna, Jamilah and George Chan after the prize presentation.

KUCHING: Sarawak’s golf ace Lee Ka Tung made more history in the Sarawak Classic Golf Championship at Kelab Golf Sarawak yesterday when he clinched the men’s gross title for a record eighth time.

The Sibu Golf Club golfer carded a two-day total of 142 (74, 68) to beat Lau Ching Leong by three strokes and collect the prize of goods voucher worth RM3,000.

It was also the second hat-trick for Lee who won the championship in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015.

Teamwork overcomes weaknesses to deliver victory -MBKS Mayor

Chan attempting a three-point shot to launch the tournament yesterday.

KUCHING: A total of 75 teams participated in the Kuching Festival Sports Toto 3-On-3 Basketball Jamboree yesterday.

Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk James Chan, who launched the event, saw positive attributes among the many players.

“It’s not all about winning or losing. By participating in sporting events such as basketball, this will teach us on how to be a good team player and adopt team spirit in addition to being physically and mentally fit,” he told participants at the foyer of MBKS’ headquarters.

Over 8,000 took part in 3rd edition of Kuching Marathon

Winners of the open category in a photocall with Sim (third left) and other guests at the prize presentation ceremony.

KUCHING: The 3rd Kuching Marathon, which attracted over 8,000 participants yesterday, can become a major international event for Kuching.

According to Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Hui Kian, the large numbers which included significant foreign participation make it viable to shift into a larger event.

“I strongly feel that Kuching Marathon has a potential to grow as a signature event. We want the level to be similar to the New York Marathon, Boston Marathon or Sydney Marathon which attracted large numbers of participants all over the world,” Sim said.

‘Sacrifice, efforts of national athletes deserve to be rewarded’

KUCHING: Sarawak State Sports Council (SSC) chief executive officer Dr Ong Kong Swee has voiced his support of the approval of a lifetime pension of RM3,000 each to the nation’s Olympic divers Pandelela Rinong and Cheong Jun Hoong.

He said it was unfair and not right for a 38-year-old army pensioner from Kedah to lodge a police report at Gurung Kedah police station last Saturday against the two Olympians just because he got less pension than Pandaleela and Cheong, who recently made the nation proud by winning silver medals in the women’s synchronized 10m platform dive at Rio Olympics.

“If Malaysia were to focus on improving its sports performance and succeed in producing gold medallists, what happens to their future after they retire? And we know that in sports, athletes tend to have to retire early and more so if they sustain injuries. So there’s the question of how will they sustain themselves after they have no steady income,” Dr Ong said.

Bold wants immortality

“Somebody said I can become immortal. Two more medals to go and I can sign off. Immortal,” Usain Bolt said after winning the men’s 100m in Rio. Photo by AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO: Usain Bolt said he is confident of signing off as an Olympic “immortal” after his 100m win at the Rio Games left him two races from an unprecedented Treble Treble.

“It was brilliant. I didn’t go so fast but I’m so happy I won. I told you guys I was going to do it,” he said after becoming the first man to win three 100m sprints with a time of 9.81sec.

He said he was confident of winning the 200m and 4x100m relay this week. That would give him the treble of golds for three straight Olympics.

Sarawak-born swimmer splashes personal best in Olympic

Welson Sim getting ready for his heat. — Bernama photo

National swimmer Welson Sim completed his Olympic debut with a personal best in the 1,500m freestyle, clocking 15:32.63s to finish fourth in Heat 1 at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on Friday.

The 19-year-old Sarawak-born swimmer sliced 0.04 seconds from his previous mark of 15:32.67s clocked during his European training stint at the Mare Nostrum Circuit in Barcelona, Spain, in June. However, he failed to come anywhere near the oldest national record of 15:21.61s set by Jeffrey Ong in 1991. Tunisian Oussama Mellouli won the heat with a time of 15:07.78s.

“I am happy with my new personal best and overall it was a great opportunity and new experience here. I have done my best here,” said Welson who completed his third and final event.

He opened his campaign last Saturday in the 400m freestyle with a time of 3:51.57s, failing to rewrite his national record of 3:50.40s and a day later he equalled his national record of 1:47.67s in the 200m freestyle.

SAGMA wants development and training center for rhythmic gymnasts

Sukma bronze medallist Emilie celebrating her birthday with Wee (fourth right), Sagma officials, coaches and fellow trainees at the elite training centre at Queen’s Court on Thursday.

KUCHING: The Sarawak Amateur Gymnastics Association (Sagma) is hoping that the National Sports Council (MSN) will help secure a centre for the development and training of the rhythmic gymnasts in the state.

Sagma president Helena Christine Wee said the rented premises at the ground floor and sixth floor of Queen’s Court is now unable to accommodate the ever-growing number of trainees.

“We have now 96 trainees including the Sukma gymnasts and we are looking for a big place/centre in the town area where we can conduct not only the training for the elite gymnasts but also the development of young gymnasts,” she said.

State gymnasts outshine Kuala Lumpur in China

The state gymnasts with coaches Shaleen Tay (right) and Fioa Lee (left) after receiving their medals and certificates.

KUCHING: Sarawak’s team of Sukma XVIII and back-up gymnasts have continued to do Malaysia proud at the 5th Zhongling Cup International Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament in Beijing from Aug 2-4.

They are Sukma XVIII bronze medallist Emilie Nara Zi Yi Jabu and teammates Sarah Ng Xi Yan, Bonnie Tan Yee Wen and back-up gymnasts Alaena Lao Lik Phin, Toh Xian Yong and Scarlett Yuki Chan Yeei Han.

The team — accompanied by coaches Shaleen Tay Hui Shing and Fiona Lee Sing Yin — returned with an impressive haul of three gold and three bronze medals to outshine Kuala Lumpur, the other team representing the country at the highly prestigious tournament in China.