Exposure ‘crucial’ for Sarawak boxers to reach Sukma target

KUCHING (March 24): The Sarawak Amateur Boxing Association (Saba) is stepping up preparations for the upcoming Sukma XXII in Selangor with a provisional squad expected to be finalised in early April.

The state team is currently undergoing a selection process from a long list of 21 boxers.

“We are still in the middle of finalising the shortlist. From the long list of 21, we are looking at trimming it down to 11 boxers of eight men and three women,” said Saba president Datuk Rahman Lariwoo when met during the Hari Raya Adilfitri open house at his residence on Saturday.

The shortlisted fighters will then be put through a series of competitive exposures both locally and internationally to assess their readiness ahead of Sukma.

Among the planned assignments is an overseas stint in Medan, Indonesia which includes participation in a tournament around Lake Toba scheduled in April.

There will be another tournament in in Miri followed by another training-cum-competition stint in the Philippines.

“These competitions are important for us to gauge the boxers’ performance at a higher level. It will also help us identify who truly deserves a place in the final squad,” Rahman added.

He is expecting the competition for spots in the final squad to be intense as several new boxers are emerging to challenge established names and  medalists from the previous Sukma.

“At the moment, there are still a few medalists from the last Games in contention but they will have to fight for their spots. We will select only the best,” he pledged.

Saba is expected to announce the final shortlist before the Medan assignment in early April.

Looking ahead to the 22nd Sukma in Selangor, Rahman said the association aims to match at least its previous haul of four gold and two silver medals while remaining optimistic of surpassing that tally.

“That is why exposure at a high level is crucial for the team’s preparation,” he stressed.