KUCHING (Apr 12): It is vital for all sports associations to be results-oriented as such focus is among the key performance indicators (KPIs) that the authorities would assess in order to provide support, including financial grants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In pointing this out, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan assured the government, through the relevant agencies, would always channel its support but sports associations must deliver good KPIs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSubmit annual reports to us, so that we would know your progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cManage your association well, and keep politics away as this can be destructive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe do not want to see the situation of sports associations having shut down just a few months after being set up, as this reflects poor management and them not having any vision,\u201d he said when officiating at the kick-off of Sarawak Powerlifting Meet 2021 and the closing ceremony of the Weightlifting Lift-Off Open Sarawak 2021 at AEON Mall here yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The assistant minister said the ministry had also made available other facilities for the state athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have our stadium, we have our gym \u2013 we even have the rehabilitation centre at Pandelela Rinong Aquatics Centre in Petra Jaya, exclusively meant for athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a fact that at times, athletes sustain injuries but their treatments and recovery are not the same as non-athletes; hence, the need for the rehabilitation centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStrive to fully utilise these available facilities,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back on KPIs, Snowdan also stressed that sports associations must always scout for new talents to ensure growth and continuity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSports associations need to have \u2018shadow squads\u2019 \u2013 those who will one day take over from the senior athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSelect the best, recommend them to us and we would do our best to highlight them even in as far as overseas events. But you must select the best athletes, not the ones you favour,\u201d he pointed out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Snowdan congratulated Sarawak Powerlifting Association (PPNS) for organising its maiden event \u2013 the Sarawak Powerlifting Meet 2021 \u2013 following its establishment in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The association has received RM20,000 from the ministry to help it run its activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to PPNS president Vincent Mallang Alfred, their key objective is to provide a platform for athletes from strength-based sports to grow and reach their full potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe also strive to groom new talents and one of the ways to do that is through this powerlifting meet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe hope to see some amazing lifts during this competition and perhaps, plenty more personal best records to be achieved in each discipline \u2013 namely the squat, bench-press and deadlift,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some 30 athletes took part in the competition yesterday, vying in the three categories of Men\u2019s Open Under-85kg, Men\u2019s Open Above-85kg and Women\u2019s Open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prior to declaring open the powerlifting event, Snowdan presented prizes to Mohamad Hussein Omar Mayah and Marthini Chan \u2013 the men and women\u2019s champions of the Weightlifting Lift-Off Open Sarawak 2021, which concluded on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Layar assemblyman Gerald Rentap Jabu, who is also Sarawak Weightlifting Association president, Sarawak Sports Corporation chief executive officer Dr Ong Kong Swee, Saradise Group chief executive officer Dato Chris Chung and AEON Mall Kuching central management representative Iskandar Zainal were among those present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n