FEDERAL Territories netball team coach Norizan Rajab considers their win over Pahang in the final of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) as one of the most meaningful gifts she has ever received.
The gold medal is her fifth Sukma gold as coach, having won in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2018 previously, and will likely be her last as she has announced that she will stop coaching and become an advisor to the team instead.
Before Norizan signed up as the coach, the team had also won the gold in the 2000, 2004 and 2006 editions.
“Maybe the time has come for me to rest. After this, I will be an advisor to the new coaches,” she said.
On their 63-51 win over Pahang, Norizan said it was a fairly balanced match with young athletes in each team.
“I think we will have more new talent representing the national squad. So Sukma is the best stage.’’
She also denied that the presence of several national athletes in the her squad was a factor in their successful campaign.
“For me, it is not the main factor. What is more important is that each state do their own development programme and in the long term, this is the result. I hope every state can unearth more new talents after this,” Norizan said.
Selangor took the bronze after beating Johor 47-45 in the third-place decider. — Bernama
