By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Nov 19: Despite not having a proper platform for the sport of skateboarding, Sarawak could still produce world-class athletes in the sport, notes Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman.
“We must look at the sport seriously, as Sarawak Skateboarding Association (SKA) can produce a world-class skateboarder in the form of 24-year-old Mohd Nur Firdaus Marzuki.”
He disclosed the athlete who hails from Bintulu, Sarawak will represent Malaysia at the South East Asian (SEA) Games in Manila, Philippines which will be held from November 30 to December 10.
“SKA has done very well for organising a lot of competitions and scouting for new talent in the sport. The association needs the support of the state government to well”, he said.
He said this at a press conference to hand over the state and national flags to Mohd Nur Firdaus at the SKA office today.
“Since SKA existed in 2016, they did very well and through their very own creativity, they can still provide a platform for our youth in Kuching and Sarawak to exhibit their skills on the skateboard.”
Fazzrudin also lauded SKA for finding ways to send skateboarding athletes like Mohd Nur Firdaus to world-class competitions, who subsequently did well.
He said that to be good at any sport, every athlete must be given exposure so that they can excel and be world champions or world-beaters.
“We have proven that Sarawak can produce athletes to represent Malaysia and we want more athletes to have a chance to stand on the podium in an international competition.”
Fazzrudin who is also SKA patron said that the Ministry of Youth and Sports had done a lot and it is the right time for them to be more serious in supporting the sport of skateboarding.
“We need to structure the sport, especially in terms of competition venue and training. I, myself will bring these matters to the higher level,” he said,
“The Sarawak government needs to help and to come out with a conducive place to produce more athletes in skateboarding.”
Department of Youth and Sports officer Eshady Ahmad, SKA chairman Mohammad Farouk Tufail Mahmud, and SKA secretary Hazizulkarnean Hassan were among those present. — DayakDaily
