Sukma: Penang Kabaddi squad determined to reach podium, bag a medal

GEORGE TOWN (July 25): Despite entering as the underdog team, the Penang Kabaddi squad is determined to reach the podium and bag a medal at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) 2024, in Sarawak from August 17 to 24.

Their coach, Jaggen Rajadran, who took over the team eight months ago, stated that after they missed out on medals in the last edition, the Pearl of the Orient squad, which includes four national athletes, is now better prepared with new techniques and improved fitness levels.

Jaggen noted that the four national Kabaddi athletes—Mogesvaran Murugesan, 21; Darshanaa Kumaran, 18; Vijayprassa Selvam, 21; and Yugaruben Kumaran, 20—will join forces with 20 other athletes aged 18 to 21 in both the men’s and women’s team events.

“This year, we will showcase a different level of performance. The players are now equipped with new skills, and we aim to reach the podium this year. That’s my target as a coach as well.

“I see a lot of positive changes in the Penang Kabaddi squad, and we have conducted thorough analyses to compete effectively in Sarawak this year,” he told Bernama during training at the Penang State Sports Council (MSN).

Jaggen, who is also a former national athlete, anticipates that the contingents from Sarawak, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, and Terengganu will be among the main challengers to his squad at this prestigious biennial sports event.

Meanwhile, Penang Kabaddi Association president Arjunan Kandasamy said that Penang will send 24 athletes, comprising 12 men and 12 women, for the team kabaddi events.

He highlighted that the state contingent has been training diligently for the past six months and will camp at MSN for two weeks from Aug 1 to further hone their skills under the guidance of national Kabaddi coach K. Palanisamy.

“There are four national athletes in this team, both in the men’s and women’s teams, who have competed in Iran, Bangladesh, and Bali, Indonesia. This will certainly help the Penang squad compete more successfully this year,” he added.

Based on the team’s recent performance and achievements in tournaments in Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, and Kedah, Arjunan is confident that they will excel in this year’s Sukma and secure medals in both the men’s and women’s team kabaddi events.

Elaborating on the challenges faced by the Penang Kabaddi contingent, Arjunan said that most of the athletes live on the mainland and have to travel to MSN on the island by public transportation, and the team has only recently received a Kabaddi Mat for practice.

National athlete Mogesvaran said he will keep motivating his teammates and share techniques learned from the national squad to help Penang become a formidable contender.

“We will give our best, and our training is still on. I’m confident that this year we will reach the podium and win a medal. The color doesn’t matter; what matters is having the medal in our hands,” said the Goon International College student.

Darshanaa, a student at Bukit Mertajam High School, added that her team will be mindful of their opponents’ strengths while also focusing on improving their own weaknesses and minimising errors in their pursuit of a medal.

For the record, the Penang Kabaddi team did not win any medals in the 20th edition of Sukma, where the top medalists were Selangor, the Federal Territory, and Sarawak and Perak, which tied, in the men’s team event.

In the women’s category, the Federal Territory and Selangor teams bagged the gold and silver respectively, while Sarawak and Kedah tied for the bronze.

The kabaddi event, offering two gold medals in the men’s and women’s team events, will be held at the Lundu Community Hall from Aug 20 to 23. – Bernama