KUCHING: Hot on the heels of the articles made by New Sarawak Tribune recently about former Commonwealth Games boxing champ Sapok Biki, Sarawak have wasted no time in pursuing him.
Negotiations are now ongoing to sign up the Army Major as the head coach for the Sukma boxing squad.
When asked for his comments Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said: “What is important is that we have boxers who can deliver medals, especially gold, and my opinion is it doesn’t matter who becomes the coach because it’s the boxers who are in the ring.”
“As far as I am concerned if we already have a good coach who can guide the team to success the he should be given the chance to lead but if the team wish for a new head coach and that appointment can further strengthen the team then we should also consider him.”
“I am always open to all views and proposals however I prefer to be above board in these matters and leave it to the stakeholders to decide but if they come to me for decision then and only then I will make one, otherwise I will not interfere,” he added.
Yesterday, Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) CEO and MSN (Majlis Sukan Negeri) director Dr Ong Kong Swee confirmed that talks were underway between Sarawak, Sarawak Amateur Boxing Association (Saba) and Sapok.
“In actual fact we have had Sapok in our minds for the role since last year and your articles recently really helped expedite matters and now we are in talks already with all parties involved and we will have concrete news very soon,” said Ong.
“There are details we want to iron out with Sapok such as the terms of his employment — if he will be leaving the Armed Forces to join us full-time? And more technical matters like his planning and programmes for the short, medium and long term.”
Saba president Datuk Rahman Lariwoo also confirmed that talks were underway and explained that certain procedures needed to be met and until all these procedures were met, no announcement on the matter would be made officially.
“Unofficially I can say that we are very happy with the news that Sapok will be heading the Sukma squad and very soon we in the association will be meeting to discuss the matter further with our members as well.”
“Personally, I am glad that Sapok will be in our stable because he is a big name in the local boxing world and he has clout in the arena so he is a real asset that can elevate the sport to a whole other level and he has shown in the past his willingness to help the state without any recognition.”
Meanwhile, Sapok was elated to receive the news and confirmed having had discussions with both Dr Ong and Rahman over the weekend.
“As I have said before I have a lot to share in terms of experience and knowledge so to me it is just the beginning of another chapter of my life and I’m excited and pumped to get on the ground running with this upcoming project.”
“I definitely have plans already and I also have a few boxers in mind that can complement the current elite squad such as Elia, who I think can make it to Sukma 2020 with the right training and it’s possible that she can deliver us a medal.”
He thanked New Sarawak Tribune for its articles on him recently and also thanked Dr Ong and Rahman for reaching out to him and hoped that negotiations would not take too long to conclude as he is itching to start work with the team.
“Boxing is my passion and coaching gives me immense satisfaction and my style of coaching requires a lot of time spent up close with the boxers so that I can fine-tune them according to their personalities and in that sense the sooner I start with them the better.”
When asked on the changes he would make to the current coaching staff, Sapok was quick to allay fears of any personnel change, stressing that he already worked well with the current staff.
“I will need a lot of help so there will be no firing of existing coaches, in fact as far as I am concerned, I think we need to hire more coaches, especially at the grassroots levels,” he said.
