UNLIKE their illustrious male counterparts, the six members of the national women’s goalball team are determined to excel in their maiden appearance at the ASEAN Para Games.
The men and women’s competition begins on Sunday (Sept 17) at Hall 8 of the Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre. They take on Laos respectively in the preliminary round of the competition (start time 9am).
A long training stint in China has inspired the men to produce their best performance in front of home fans.
Despite being formed this year, the women’s team comprising Siti Hajar Hasan, Mailin Mopinpin, Nurnasirah Mohd Hanapiah, A. Logeswary, Nur Amalina Hares and Nurul Hikmah Che Ibrahim, are keen on at least winning a bronze medal in their Games debut.
As for the men’s team they are certainly out to bury the ghost of 2013 (Myanmar) and 2015 (Singapore) when they lost in both finals – clinching silver medals.
The Malaysians have never won the gold since 2005 – losing in the final of the last five editions and are hoping for a change in climate for a gold medal.
Goalball is a team sport designed for the visually impaired. Players have their eyes covered as they compete with a ball with embedded bells.
WHAT THEY SAY:
WE are definitely looking at the gold medal this time. In the last two editions we could only settle for bronze and we hope to be lucky at home. The four-month training stint in China by the men’s team was a good experience as they are tactically better prepared for the Games. The learning experience in China has also been passed on to the women’s team and we hope to excel. – DATUK KAMARUDIN (Team Manager)
