Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia‘s paddlers are ready to take on their toughest competitors in the traditional boat race at the 24th Korat SEA Games in Thailand.
Team coach Samsul Anuar Adnan said that despite the last-minute entry for the sport, the 16-member team had been training hard and competing in local boat races for the past several months.
"Our team is up and ready to face the challenges, particularly against the Philippines, Myanmar or Indonesia," he told Bernama today.
Currently, the paddlers are undergoing both land and water training at Tasik Putra Jaya in Putrajaya.
"The land training involves building up their physical fitness and stamina which involves weightlifting and running, while water-based training focuses mostly on paddling techniques," Samsul said, adding that light training was conducted during the fasting month.
Malaysia‘s boating team comprises 14 paddlers, a navigator and a drummer, and two officials.
At the Penang International Open race in June the team emerged second.
Samsul said the team faced stiff competition from established teams like the Philippines.
In the 2005 Manila SEA Games, the Philippines won gold medals in the Men‘s 10A Side crew (500 metres) and Women‘s 10A sides Crew (500 metres).
Myanmar and Indonesia are formidable challengers for the Malaysian team.
A gold medal each is up for grabs in the Men‘s 10A-Side Crews Traditional Boat Race 500 metres and 10A-Side Crews Traditional Boat Race 500 metres.
The races will be held at the Mab Prachan Reservoir in Pattaya city.
Malaysia competes only in the men‘s category.
Source: www.bernama.com.my (8 November 2007)