KUCHING: With Para SUKMA 2024 just around the corner, Sarawak's para archery athletes are undergoing intensive training in preparation for the prestigious event.

The team, comprising both experienced and new archers, is determined to make their mark and bring home medals for the state.

One of the archers, Dang Ratna Dewi, has high hopes for her team.

"We have been training six days a week, and I hope that my team will win a gold medal," she said, expressing her optimism for strong performance during the competition.

For Gillbelson Alvin, a newcomer to the sport from Kapit, this year’s Para SUKMA is his debut.

Having been introduced to archery in February 2024, Alvin has been training intensely over the past month.

“I do not expect a lot from this competition, but I'm hoping to do my very best.

"Hopefully, in the next two years, I can participate again," Alvin said, demonstrating his dedication to both the sport and his future as an athlete.

Meanwhile, Nur Ezzatul Farishah, representing Sarawak in the 70m women's recurve event, is confident in her progress so far.

“I have been training from Monday to Saturday, and I think I've achieved my goals.

"Inshallah, I'll do my best for Sarawak and hope to give a gift to the state," she shared.

The team's coach, Razmi Amit, has been overseeing their rigorous training sessions at Lapang Sasar, Petra Jaya.

“We have been doing intensive training in Kuching for a month now, and based on the team's performance, we are targeting at least one medal from the women’s recurve category," Coach Razmi said.

While the team faced challenges in the 2022 SUKMA with limited preparation time, he remains hopeful that the current training regimen will yield better results.

As the team gears up for Para SUKMA 2024, all eyes are on Sarawak’s para archers, who are determined to make their state proud. -UKASnews