KUCHING: Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan had issued a challenge to the coaches to deliver the golds as the state government had on the other hand promised to give them what they asked for in terms of equipment or other needs in preparing their side in the coming Sukma in Perak in September. In a meeting with the chief coaches of the various sports, Snowdan also urged the coaches to write directly to him at his email address or called direct to his handphone if they have problems regarding equipment or other problems in their gear-up for the Games.
Calling on coaches to put up a report on the solutions and formula which should be handed to him by end of March this year, Snowdan said he wanted the Sarawak teams to come up with a strong team to present a challenge to win back the title .”If we give you everything you asked for, can you promise us the gold?” asked Snowdan. The Assistant Minister who chaired the meeting with the chief coaches of all the sports competing in Sukma also wanted to form special committees to select the best coaches. “We want to make sure we will become champions and must form a special committee by the coaches to select the best athletes.
“There is also a need to call back athletes who are Sarawakians if they are good as we want all our own athletes to represent the State. There are a few of our athletes studying in the Sabah Sports School who are good enough while in squash there are players now studying in other countries and we may recall them. “I also want all the equipment to be tip top and make sure you do not do things in the last minute,” said Snowdan. Sarawak Sports Corporation CEO Dr Ong Kong Swee who also spoke at the meeting issue a strong statement on the need by the coaches to achieve their KPI on which their contracts relied on.
In responding to problems raised by some of the coaches, he advised them to direct them to the sports co-ordinators in charge of their respective sports who will bring the matter straight to him. He also emphasised on the subject of anti-doping and the coaches must take special care to prevent any problems arising which can happen on taking the wrong food or supplements supplied to them.
The SSC CEO also told those who may face delays of their equipment to be patient and must go through the proceures as required by the government. More than 30 chief coaches, assistant coaches from the various sports such as Muaythai, judo, cycling, wushu, karate, sepak takraw, rugby, hockey, lawnbowl, silat, football, taekwondo, tenpin bowling, futsal, handball, swimming, gymnastics, boxing, badminton and a few other sports attended the meeting held at the second floor of the State Stadium on Monday.
