Boxing strategy paying dividends

SIMANGGANG: Sarawak’s boxing team punched their way into the quarter-finals after stellar performances over the past two nights.

Sarawak Boxing Association (SABA) president Datuk Rahman Lariwoo was pleased with the team’s showing at the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA) 2024.

Prior to the competition, he had set an ambitious target for the team.

“We told the Sarawak government that our boxers would give their all to clinch the overall championship,” he said.

The strategy seems to be paying off.

“Ten of our boxers have advanced to the semi-finals, and today (Aug 19), five will vie for a spot in the quarter-finals,” he added.

Riding high on the team’s momentum, he is optimistic about Sarawak’s chances of emerging victorious in Sri Aman.

Rahman believed that with proper planning and preparation, boxing can become a popular sport in the state.

“We won’t stop here. After SUKMA, we will identify new boxing talents from our 13 training centres across Sarawak,” he said.

The association also plans to send its boxers to compete in tournaments, with the first one scheduled for Penang.

For now, however, the focus is on celebrating the team’s success at this year’s SUKMA.