Aquatics in Perlis set for an upswing – thanks to the 17th SUKMA (Malaysia Games) which this tiny Northern State is hosting for the first time since the biennial games were incepted in 1986.
It does not matter that the bulk of the Perlis team is “imported” from Selangor – thanks to the good offices of the Perlis Swimming Association, the Selangor and the National Sports Council (NSC).
Eleven of the 14 athletes who will don Perlis colours are from Selangor while the Teoh siblings – sisters Sheek Cheen,19m Sheek Ween, 16 and brother Jian Wei, 14 – are from Perlis.
Perlis Swimming Association secretary Pawarni Saad said even with the athletes from Selangor, Perlis are not laying much hope of winning medals in aquatics.
“However, we are hoping a medal from Adam Faris Tan but we know that it will take a miracle,” said Pawarni.
Pawarni added that aquatics “virtually came to a stand still” because the existing swimming centre was not maintained the last two years until renovation works started for this year’s Sukma.
Perlis may not have produced national swimmers but have produced national divers. One of them is Ahmad Amsyah Azman, who is one of up and coming divers in the country.
“I am sure we will be produce our own aquatic athletes in time to come. We may field our own ‘anak jati’ Perlis in future Sukma after this year’s Sukma.” added Pawarni.
Aquatics begin on Wednesday – two days after the official opening ceremony.
