Trio selected for SEA Games

Kota Kinabalu: Three sailors from the State will be representing Malaysia at the forthcoming SEA Games in Singapore next month.Nur Aisah Rose Ramlee has been selected to sail in the Optimist Class (Category A) meant for sailors below the age of 16.

She is the product of the Sabah Sailing Association and trains under a partnership with Kinabalu Yacht Club at Tanjung Aru.

Earlier last year, she was selected into the National Team after the Sukma in June and has been training in Langkawi ever since.

Meanwhile, Rufina Tan and Connie Tsen are in the 49er FX Class under Category B while having to rely on their own funding to compete.

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The partnership of both girls are still fresh as Rufina only recently returned to sailing since winning at the Doha Asian Games in the Optimist Class in 2006.

Connie is part of the Sabah State team but has decided to take a year off to continue her studies where her target is to win gold at the future Asian Games as well as with an eye to participate in the Olympics.

Rufina and Connie will sail a difficult and powerful boat which requires great strength. As such, Australian internationally renowned coach, Ian Warren will provide the two sailors intensive training in order for them to have the best possible chance in the Games.

Unfortunately Rufina and Connie are selected under Category B which means their expenses for participation have to be sourced by themselves.

They have just spent over RM25,000 for new sails and equipment from England and in need to raise an additional RM30,000 in the coming days to meet the cost of participation for the SEA Games.

They are now appealing for any sports enthusiasts to come forward with sponsorship in order for them to participate in Singapore.

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The last time a Sabahan represented the country in such major Games was by Rufina herself in the Doha Asian Games in 2006 and also by Connie's aunts, Kelly Yin and Sandra Yin in the 2002 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur where both won gold medals in the Optimist and International 470 Classes respectively.

Sabah Sailing Association hopes the State Government can settle the issue of setting up a sailing centre in the Capital so that the base of sailors can be broadened not only for sporting excellence but to provide training for youths to meet the State's maritime tourism industry.

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