KUCHING, Dec 12: Sarawak Judo Association (SJA) is hopeful to discover new talent in the sport with the opening of its affiliated Sentosa Judo club, in Kota Sentosa.
Its president Francis Chan, said until now, SJA is depending on a narrow talent-base, which are mostly from the SMK Bandar Kuching No. 1.
“We are very glad that we have opened this Sentosa Judo Club, which is the first affiliate for SJA. Since we are taking part in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) and other competitions, we have to broaden our talent-base, and this is the first step of doing it.
“We hope to get players from this area (Kota Sentosa) and Kota Samarahan, and possibly from the schools in this area so that we will have more people to choose from for the State team,” he said after the launching ceremony of Sentosa Judo Club, in Kota Sentosa, today.
According to Chan, SJA initially wanted to open one Judo club in Miri but was canceled due to the lack of instructors.
Currently, he said, SJA only has one full-time instructor (which is based in Kuching) and because of that, we can only open our club in Kota Sentosa.
“Until we can get a full-time instructor for Miri or Sibu, we have to depend on this area, and probably in Serian too in the future, which is within a traveling distance,” he added.
On another note, Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang, who was represented by Chinese Community Leader Temenggong Tan Joo Poi, contributed a total of RM1,000 to the Sentosa Judo Club, which was presented during the launching ceremony. –DayakDaily.
