Sarawak’s Sukma muaythai squad kicks off stint in Thailand

KUCHING (July 20): The Sarawak muaythai squad is intensifying its preparations for the upcoming Malaysia Games (Sukma) XXI Sarawak by undergoing exposure training in Thailand.

They reported for camp in Koh Samui, Thailand on Friday for the 14-day stint which will include an international tournament.

This is the second round of training in Thailand for the state fighters after the first 14-day stint was held last June.

“They will undergo training for 14 days there, where some of our athletes will also participate in an international invitational match, the Muay Thai Super Fight, to be held at the Koh Samui Stadium in Thailand.

“After that, they will return to Kota Bahru (Kelantan) to participate in fitness training before returning to Kuching on Aug 10 and continuing to Bintulu on Aug 11,” said Sarawak State Muaythai Association (PMNS) president Jumaat Ibrahim today.

Apart from Koh Samui, the Sarawak athletes also underwent Muay Boran training in Bangkok for 14 days.

“Thailand is the last location of exposure training for the state athletes before they participate in Sukma XXI next month. We want them to be fully prepared before going down to the ring.

“My hope is that the athletes make the best use of the knowledge they have acquired here to give the best possible action in the future to contribute medals to the Sarawak contingent,” Jumaat added.

Some of the athletes have earlier undergone training in Pontianak, Indonesia.

The muaythai competition of the 21st Sukma will take place at Naim Street Mall @ Bintulu Paragon from Aug 15-20.