SAGYMA makes room for young gymnasts

KUCHING: Growing interest in gymnastics among young children has prompted the Sarawak Amateur Gymnastics Association (SAGYMA) to expand its training capacity.

SAGYMA president Johnny Tan Seng Hock said the association currently had about 70 students across different age groups, supported by seven coaches.

He said the association also needed additional coaching personnel, particularly for its elite programme.

“It’s around 70 (young gymnasts) so far, different age groups.

“For the elite, now only one (coach). So we need another assistant coach for the elite,” he told reporters at SAGYMA’s office and training centre at Queen’s Tower here today (Sept 26).

Tan said the association’s current setup was more suitable after moving back from Boulevard Shopping Mall as part of efforts to centralise its operations.

He said the facility at Queen’s Tower served different purposes, with the elite training centre located upstairs and the ground floor used for development and grading.

“More actually, it is more suitable for us because our elite centre is upstairs. So downstairs we do the development and grading,” he said.

In his speech earlier, Tan said SAGYMA had remained committed to nurturing gymnastics talent and promoting the sport throughout Sarawak since its establishment in 2011.

He said its athletes, coaches, judges and technical officials had worked tirelessly to achieve excellence at state, national and international levels.

SAGYMA was also awarded the ‘Anugerah Sukan untuk Semua 2025’ under the Sports Association Category, in recognition of its achievements and contributions over the past three years.

Tan said the recognition reflected the dedication and collective efforts of its athletes, coaches, officials, parents and supporters.

He said SAGYMA’s Artistic Gymnastics Training Centre was based at Jalan Stadium, while its Rhythmic Gymnastics Training Centre was located at Queen’s Tower, with both centres catering to elite and development athletes.

Tan said the growing popularity of gymnastics had also brought challenges, particularly in terms of training space and facilities.

The new centre for gymnastics grading and development would allow SAGYMA to accommodate more young gymnasts, strengthen its grassroots programmes and provide a better environment to identify and develop future talent.

He also announced the establishment of SAGYMA’s first official office, which he said would strengthen its administration and coordination with stakeholders.

“It would also enable the association to provide more effective support for our athletes, coaches, parents and members. We believe that every champion starts somewhere. And today, this is where another journey begins,” he said.

Also present were Sarawak State Sports Council director and Sarawak Sports Corporation chief executive officer Mu’azamir Jili, and Political Secretary to the Premier of Sarawak and SAGYMA patron Kho Teck Wan.