According to Datuk Rahman Lariwoo, the team manager, the association has set a target of one gold and two silver medals.
“With the support and teamwork from the National Sport Council (MSN), Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS), and all of our exco, I think this time around in the Games boxing will deliver.
“The last medal we’ve won was at the 2013 edition in Myanmar with 1 silver and 3 bronzes,” said Rahman, who took over the position two years ago.
To date, the Malaysians’ best performance was at the 2001 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur where they bagged a total of nine medals – two gold, four silvers and three bronzes.
With the country hosting the 29th edition, the sport will have six categories – light flyweight (46-49kg), fly weight (49-52kg), bantam weight (52-56kg), light welter weight (69-75kg), middle weight (69-75kg) and light heavy weight (75-81kg).
In preparations for the scheduled events hosted at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) from 20-24 August, the MBAF has left no stones unturned.
The national team were exposed to tough asian level competitions – 2016 Asia and Oceania Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament in China (25 March-2 April), 2017 ASBC Asian Boxing Championships in Uzbekistan (30 April-May 7), and the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games in Azarbajian (12-18 May) .
“We have participated a few tournaments outside of the Southeast Asian region and we’ve just completed our two months training at Kazakhstan (7 May-3 July).
“Boxing in Kazakhstan or China is very different in terms of standards as their government emphasizes and support the sport as its major events.
“After their training, I can see that they have progressed and picked up some skills along the way. They have confidence now after winning all the events at our pre SEA Games event in Perak. In all nine categories, we swept the gold.
“Our present head coach is Azmi bin Md Yunus, who have trained one of our finest athletes Sapok Biki, and he has done well to motivate the team,” explained Rahman.
In 1998, Sapok Biki was the gold medallist of the light flyweight category at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. Biki was also an Olympian who had participated at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
According to Rahman, the MABF currently has the presence of Biki to lend morale support and lift the spirits of the nine younglings registered. – BY ALVIN OH
KL2017 ATHLETES
49kg – Muhammad Fuad Bin Redzwan
52kg – Abdul Salam Bin Kasim
56kg – Arfiqani Bin Ansori
64kg – Khir Akyazlan Bin Azmi (2013 bronze medallist)
75kg – Indren Al Ramakrishnan
81kg – Adli hafidz Bin Mohd Pauzi
BACK UP
- Al Nazirul Bin Othman
- Khairul Bin Kalai
- Aleishah Bin Kamaruzaman
