02/11/1997
ON the average, Malaysian boxers throw their first punch when they are 18-
years-old, so to push them into the ring and expect them to bring home a
gold medal against those who started training seriously since the age of
12 is gross injustice.
The boxing powers at Commonwealth level are Ireland, Kenya, Ghana, South
Africa, Wales and Scotland. To beat these nations for a medal at the Kuala
Lumpur Commonwealth Games will be difficult.
"There is no planning at the base to produce boxers who can do the
country proud. The ones that we have right now have youth on their side
but they only started competing about two years ago," said Commonwealth
Games project manager for boxing Lt Col (Rtd) Jamaluddin Samir.
Malaysian boxers face about 18 bouts a year compared with the Cubans who
take to the ring 200 times a year.
The final phase of preparations for the '98 Games will begin in January
and right now the Malaysian Boxing Association (MBA) and the National
Sports Council (NSC) are in the midst of shortlisting them.
NSC will have a tough time deciding on the final list prepared by the
local coaches and foreign coaches Adun Pasu of Thailand and Bachelo
Nivaldo Cacheco of Cuba.
Commonwealth Games trainees: Sapok Biki (45kg), Eddie Suip (51kg),
Balkish Ahlal (54kg), Jaiwat Nayamun (54kg), Jefridin Yatim (54kg), Benny
Thomas (57kg), B. Muruguthevan (60kg), Jeffry Simpson (63.5kg), Celestin
Angin (51kg), Andrew Kanis (60kg), Azani Azam (57kg), Samsudin Maidin
(71kg), Arduena Yusuh (54kg), Roning Tama-Nga (51kg), Mohamed Isnizar
(67kg), Rajah Maideen (81kg), Rosli Bakar (75kg).
(END)
