SELANGOR’S kabaddi players are aiming for two gold medals in their home Malaysia Games (Sukma) this year.
Kabaddi Association of Selangor deputy president V. Ravichandran, who is also Selangor Sukma kabaddi team manager, said the men’s and women’s teams won silver medals at Sukma Sarawak in 2024.
He said they lost in the men’s finals by just one point, and the squad was confident of a better showing this year.
Kabaddi is a contact team sport in which raiders try to score points by entering the opposing half, tagging defenders and returning safely to their side.
The state team held a training session and friendly match at SJK (T) Simpang Lima in Taman Sri Andalas, Klang, as part of the build-up to the Games and in conjunction with National Youth Day.
Sentosa assemblyman Gunaraj George, who is helping to support the team’s Sukma campaign, said the players epitomised determination and discipline.
He said his involvement was under a state arrangement where assemblymen were assigned to support different Sukma teams.
His role is to help the kabaddi squad with preparations and ensure athletes receive the support needed.
“We are doing our best to ensure Selangor succeeds in winning gold medals in the men’s and women’s events.
“This is not something that started recently.
“They have been preparing for the past three months,” he said.
Gunaraj said the team’s training programme was divided into three phases, with the current one involving daily training and gym work.
The third phase, he said, involved a two-week centralised camp near the competition venue where the team would focus on final preparations.
He added that Selangor was also planning to bring in a kabaddi coach from India for the final training stage.
“Kabaddi is an international game and we need skilled trainers and experts to assist the team,” said Gunaraj.
He said although funding was provided by National Sports Council, the team was also seeking support from friends, companies and other parties.
He added that a dedicated kabaddi facility would help the sport develop.
At present, the team trains at SJK (T) Simpang Lima with the school’s permission.
Gunaraj said a possible site in Sentosa had been identified with the help of the state government and local authority.
He said his main concern was ensuring the athletes were comfortable and prepared.
“The challenge is to make sure the team is always ready, as some are still in school, some have finished studying and some are working,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ravichandran said the team’s preparation was about 80% complete and recent tournament performances had bolstered their confidence.
Players were selected from across Selangor via school-level competitions and screening sessions, with about 60 players shortlisted before the list was narrowed down.
He added that the team was keen to prove itself by winning gold before pushing for a proper kabaddi facility.
Player Paul Azriel Albert said the training schedule had been demanding, with gym sessions from Monday to Friday and court training on the weekend.
He said many players balanced training with school or work and other commitments.
“Training is very hard, but many of us sacrifice our time because we want to win gold for Selangor.”
He said based on the team’s preparation and coaching support, the players were confident of delivering gold at Sukma Selangor.
