Sukma: After S’pore stint, Sarawak softball squads ready to kick off challenge

MIRI (Aug 14): Sarawak’s men and women softball teams underwent training for 10 days in Singapore in July, as well as participated in a tournament there, in preparation for the Malaysia Games (Sukma).

Men’s head coach Aaron Abel Donald said both squads also took part in the Malaysia National Open 2024 competition in Kuantan, Pahang as part of their preparation, apart from having weekend friendly matches with local softball clubs and those from Brunei.

“When softball was announced to be included in Sukma, we at the association started selecting players in August and September last year from a list of players from Miri, Bintulu and Kuching.

“On May 13 this year when we received the shortlist of players who will represent Sarawak, athletes from outside Miri joined those here for centralised training,” he told The Borneo Post.

The men’s softball team will face Johor in the first round of Group A tomorrow at Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara (IKBN) Miri at 7.45am, while the women’s team will take on Negeri Sembilan in the first round of Group D at 2pm.

On Sarawak’s target for softball, he said both teams are aiming to place in the top four.

The men’s team is guided by team manager Haris Mohd Zainuddin, with coach Jovan Shim assisting Aaron.

Team manager Haifa Chin is in charge of the women’s squad, along with head coach Ishak Chin and assistant coach Fakhrur Izaad.