Adversity will not stop Sabah from mounting challenge: Koh
Published on: Thursday, August 08, 2024
By: Bernama
Team coach Shamsudin Mustamin meanwhile shared that he stressed on the importance of techniques and basic skills such as base shots and footwork, in addition to mental and psychological aspects, including mental resilience, visualisation and concentration.
Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah State Tennis Association will not be held back by various challenges to field its best team for the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak.
Its president Johnson Koh said that logistically, Sabah was a big state with 25 districts, which made it hard for players and coaches to conduct centralised training frequently, and they faced limitation in choices due to a small pool of players as only 10 districts were active in tennis.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We have integrated training programmes with athletes training in their own district to ensure intensive training schedules are carried out as best as possible.
For players who are far away like in Sandakan and Keningau, we have periodic monitoring and assessment programmes.
“We want all athletes, no matter where they are, to achieve their full potential,” he said as he thanked the Sabah Sports Council, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s sports medicine unit for their support.
“Comprehensive performance programmes, fitness tests, psychological and dietary programmes as well as in-depth knowledge on injury prevention and the best treatment from trained sports medicine experts have helped our athletes greatly,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Team coach Shamsudin Mustamin meanwhile shared that he stressed on the importance of techniques and basic skills such as base shots and footwork, in addition to mental and psychological aspects, including mental resilience, visualisation and concentration.
“Athletes are encouraged to improve their skills with new techniques, Specific training including footwork drills, simulated matches and service training are included in our programme to ensure our athletes are ready and capable of competing at the highest level.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Players need to be accustomed to opponent’s killer shots, good offensive and defensive skills as well as finishing moves to end the game and score points,” he said, as he explained that the eight players representing Sabah in Sukma will be selected according to their performance.
The tennis event for Sukma will take place at the Petra Jaya Sports Complex in Kuching from Aug 16 to 22.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
