WITH their sights set firmly on winning the gold medal, the Malaysian Rugby 7’s men’s team are leaving no stone unturned in their preparation for the 29th SEA Games Kuala Lumpur 2017 next month.
The Elte 7’s Rugby tournament, which also served as a test tournament for KL2017 Games, took place at the competition at MBPJ Stadium in Petaling Jaya over the weekend (16-17 July) to gauge the performance of the national squad as well as the overall venue preparation and technical aspects.
Malaysian Rugby Union (MRU) tournament director, Fahmy Jalil was pleased with the progress of the coordination of the tournament, saying that upgrading works at the stadium are still in progress.
“The tournament is a good way for us to test the technical aspects of the competition including the timing and scoring systems, IT and preparation of work force. The medical team are all ready, the referees and volunteers are prepping up well towards the Games.
âI think we’re 90 percent there. The remaining tasks would be to ensure the communications and facilities aspects are fully ready,” said Fahmy.
“Itâs still work in progress at the venue, the upgrading of facilities such as the players lounge, changing rooms and toilets⌠I believe within this month, we will have the venue fully ready,â he said.
With competition due to start on 19 Aug, Fahmy hoped that all upgrading and refurbishing works can be completed by Aug 10.
While the menâs team have set their sights on clinching the gold, the womenâs team would be more than happy if they could finish the competition with at least a bronze medal.
Seven nations namely Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos and hosts Malaysia are down to compete in the 6-team men and women competition.
KL2017: SKUAD RAGBI 7 KEBANGSAAN BURU EMAS
SKUADÂ Ragbi 7-Sebelah kebangsaan, pemenang pingat perak pada temasya Sukan SEA 2015, menjalani persiapan rapi bagi memastikan pingat emas menjadi milik negara pada saingan ragbi Sukan SEA ke-29 bulan depan.
Kejohanan Ragbi Elite 7âs anjuran Kesatuan Ragbi Malaysia (KRM) di Stadium MBPJ minggu lepas menjadi pentas terbaik menguji tahap kesiapsigaaan bukan sahaja skuad negara, tetapi juga persiapan venue dan teknikal menjelang Sukan SEA KL2017 yang berbaki hampir 30 hari itu.
Pengarah Kejohanan KRM Fahmy Jalil nyata berpuas hati dengan penganjuran keseluruhan kejohanan yang dianggap lancar dari segi penyelarasan tenaga kerja biarpun beberapa bahagian venue berkenaan masih dalam peringkat naik taraf.
“Kejohanan itu dijadikan sebagai acara pra-Sukan SEA 2017 untuk menguji pelbagai aspek penganjuran termasuk teknikal seperti sistem masa, skor, IT dan tahap kesediaan tenaga kerja dan pegawai seperti pasukan perubatan, pengadil dan sukarelawan,â kata beliau.
âSecara keseluruhannya, hampir 90 peratus persiapan selesai dan baki 10 peratus lagi ialah untuk memastikan aspek komunikasi dan kemudahan di venue dapat disempurnakan,â kata Fahmy.
“Bberapa kerja ubah suai masih berjalan di venue termasuk membabitkan ruang istirehat pemain, bilik persalinan pemain dan tandasâŚsaya percaya semua kerja dapat selesai bulan ini (Julai) juga,â kata beliau.
Saingan ragbi Sukan SEA 2017 bermula 19 Ogos dan Fahmy berharap segala kerja ubah suai selesai sebelum atau pada 10 Ogos.
Pada ketika sasaran skuad lelaki tertumpu pada emas, skuad wanita pula berpuas hati sekiranya berjaya meraih sekurang-kurangnya gangsa pada Sukan SEA 2017 nanti disebabkan cabaran getir berdepan gergasi Asia Tenggara seperti juara bertahan Filipina, Singapura dan Thailand.
Tujuh negara bakal terbabit dalam saingan Ragbi 7-sebelah lelaki dan wanita Sukan SEA ke-29 iaitu Singapura, Thailand, Filipina, Indonesia, Kemboja, Laos dan tuan rumah Malaysia.
Pada Sukan SEA 2015, Filipina meraih emas selepas menumpaskan Malaysia 24-7 pada perlawanan akhir lelaki manakala Singapura berpuashati dengan gangsa.
Saingan wanita pula menyaksikan skuad Thailand meraih emas temasya 2015 selepas menumpaskan Singapura 39-0 pada perlawanan akhir manakala Filipina membawa pulang gangsa.
