By DayakDaily Team
SELANGOR, Aug 24: It was a bittersweet gold medal victory for Sarawak women’s indoor volleyball captain Joan Ling, who bowed out of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) with her final appearance.
For 21-year-old Ling, the team’s success was not achieved overnight but came from preparations and training since last year.
“We have been training since last year. Everyone gave their commitment and worked very hard,” she said when met by the media after the match at Dewan Besar Tanjung MBSA, Section 19, on Sunday (Aug 23), as reported by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).
Ling said confidence in her team’s abilities was a key factor in their performance, adding that it was especially important when facing tough competition throughout the tournament.
“As our coach said, we just need to go out there, show who is better, and give our best performance in the competition,” she said.
For Ling, her final appearance on the Sukma stage also carried special significance, as she wanted to draw on her experience to help the team achieve more success for Sarawak.
“I want to dedicate this success to Sarawak. We are very proud, and we are proud to be Sarawakians,” she said.
She also thanked the coaching team, the association, and her family for their continuous support throughout the preparation and competition period.
The match saw defending champion Sarawak up against hosts Selangor, whom they beat 3-0, with Sarawak winning the first set 25-15, the second 25-16, and the third 25-19.
Sarawak retained the gold it first won at the previous Sukma, held in Sibu in 2024, with the State team beating defending champion Selangor and securing its first gold in 11 years.
Meanwhile, the Sarawak men’s squad also secured another medal for the State contingent, winning bronze after defeating Negeri Sembilan 3-0 in the third-place playoff.
Sarawak won the first set 25-17, followed by a 25-18 victory in the second before wrapping up the match 25-14 in the third set.
The results saw Sarawak’s volleyball squad conclude its Sukma Selangor 2026 campaign with one gold and one bronze medal in the women’s and men’s indoor volleyball events, respectively.
The final was also witnessed by Sarawak Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, his deputy and Sarawak contingent chief Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, as well as Sarawak Sports Council director Mu’azamir Jili. — DayakDaily
