28 Jul Two gold target for sukma golfers

Kuching (July 26): The state Sukma Shadow team golfers have seen their training interrupted by restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the disruption and lack of proper preparation, Sarawak are still sticking to its two-gold medal target in Sukma Johor next year.

According to team manager Anthony Tan Hong Chiang, Sarawak will be fielding its strongest team ever at the biennial national Games.

“We are targeting one gold in the individual event and the other in the team event and we will be banking our hopes on the women’s team to deliver the goods.

“As for the men’s competition, I am confident our men’s team can also give a good account of themselves in Johor,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Four gold medals, two each in the men’s individual and team as well as women’s individual and team events, are up for grabs in Sukma Johor.

Tan said the players in the women’s team include Ashley Lau Jen Wen, Mirable Ting Ern Hui, Zulaikah Nurziana Nasser, Eliza Mae Kho and Sharifah Aisyah Titan Binyahya while in the men’s team are Malcolm Ting Siong Hung, Lim Beng Keat, Ma Hew Peregrine Ong Zhen Lei, Benjamin Ethan Ngelingkong, Anson Yeo Boon Xiang and Lo Tien Ming.

The head coach is Paul Bryant who is currently assisted by Noel Hassan.

“The final list of four players for the men’s team and three for the women’s team should be known by early December and we will conduct a centralised training for Sarawak-based players.

“As for those who are based overseas such as Australia and the USA, they will be carrying out their training and ge ing more exposure when they play in the tournaments over there,” added Tan.

For the time being, the homebased players are doing their own training such as putting and shot game.

Tan said all the players have received their vaccination and was grateful to the Sarawak Sports Corporation Chief Executive Officer Dr Ong Kong Swee and golf coordinator Hafizah Hanafi and Piasau state assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting Choew Yew for helping to arrange for the vaccination.

Source: The Borneo Post