KUCHING: Sarawak athletes, particularly young ones, have impressed at the recently concluded SEA Games despite Malaysia falling short of its target of 40 gold medals.
With top diver Datuk Pandelela Rinpong Pamg resting for the Games to focus on the Paris Olympics, a new generation of Sarawak divers stepped up and secured gold medals.
Kimberly Bong and debutant Enrique MaCcartney Harold showcased their talent, ensuring Sarawak’s dominance and the production of future diving stars.
Another promising young diver, Bertrand Rhodict Lises, won a silver in the 10m platform event.
Pandelela, who will participate in her fifth Olympics in Paris 2024, may bid farewell to her illustrious career at the event where she reached the pinnacle of success for Sarawak sports.
Although it would be ideal for her to end her chapter in Sarawak’s sporting history with a medal, her age makes it increasingly challenging.
Sarawak’s success in diving is evident in its track record of producing Olympians like Gracie Junita Pego, Elizabeth Jimmie, Traisey Vivien Tukiet, Bryan Nickson Lomas, and Pandelela. In contrast, swimming has been more competitive, with Olympians like Dieung Manggang, Daniel Bego, and Welson Sim Wee Shang.
In athletics, Grace Wong Xiu Mei secured a gold in the hammerthrow event at the SEA Games, while Jacky Wong Siew Cheer missed out on gold due to a technical error by the officials.
Grace, who showed immense potential from a young age, should be nurtured for higher-level competitions such as the Olympics.
Sarawak also boasts talented athletes like Jonah Chang Rigan, who won two medals in the discus and shot put events at the last Sukma Games, and sprinter Jonathan Nyepa, who earned a bronze in the men’s relay at the SEA Games.
Other notable athletes in the squad include discus thrower Queenie Ting, Ng Jing Xuan, and 400m hurdler Mandy Goh Li.
It is crucial to focus on developing the next generation of potential Olympic stars or medalists. Sarawak possesses abundant talent, and with the right development strategies, they can surprise in future Olympics, Commonwealth Games, world championships, or Asian Games.
However, the challenge lies in providing support beyond the age of Sukma competitions.
Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) should extend development programs to athletes once they reach 21 or 23, as these athletes still have many years to reach their peak performance.
Sports science, nutrition, mental preparation, and fitness programmes, particularly from the SSC’s High Performance Centre, are vital in helping athletes achieve their best form at the right time.
