By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, April 20: Sarawak Amateur Boxing Association (Saba president Datuk Rahman Lariwoo has revealed 13 active development centres equipped with facilities to position the State as a powerhouse in boxing within the region.
Rahman revealed that these centres are located in Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Asajaya, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Saratok, Sibu, Kanowit Kapit, Bintulu, Miri, and Limbang.
“With such infrastructure, we aim to identify talented boxing athletes in Sarawak and nurture them into podium finishers and champions in the sport,” he told reporters following a sparring session between Sarawak’s Daelonniel Macdelon Bong and Asia Boxing Federation (ABF) bantamweight champion from the Philippines, Herlan Gomez, at the Sarawak Boxing Elite Centre Sarawak Stadium today.
The sparring session was part of Daelonniel’s preparation for his upcoming fight against Thailand boxer Yutthichai Wannawong at the WBC Asia Silver Super Bantamweight Championship at Indoor Stadium Sarawak on May 11.
On the Sukma Games 2024, which Sarawak hosting, Rahman is optimistic and believes that the Sarawak boxing contingent could be the overall champion this time and obtain the targeted six gold medals as set by the Sarawak government.
He expressed confidence in Sarawak’s coaching staff, particularly Filipino boxing coach Reynaldo Inocian, who has worked with renowned former world boxing champion from the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao.
Rahman also disclosed that boxing athletes are undergoing centralised training and will further enhance their skills by training with the best boxers from Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
“These present boxing athletes in the Sarawak Open Championship in May will be scrutinised and after that, they will participate in the Perak Open Championship in June before the final selections of athletes.”
Meanwhile, Morsidi Federick, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED), expressed belief that boxing is a sport in which Sarawak’s athletes can excel further, based on past results and other tournaments.
Federick reiterated that Sarawak is fully prepared for the games, with 25 facilities under the management of the Sarawak Sports Council (SSC) expected to be ready by July. — DayakDaily
