Boxers Finally Get A Coach

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- After a six-month wait, Malaysian boxers will finally get a coach, said National Sports Council (NSC) elite athletes branch director Arrifin Mohd Ghani.

He said Prisic Pongsang from Thailand would put Malaysian boxers through their paces in the preparation for the Laos SEA Games in December.

Prisic, who is a protege of reknowned coach Somluck Kamsing, is hired to fill the slot left vacant after Kyrgyzstan coach Kalen Asakanov left in December last year, Ariffin told Bernama.

Arrifin hoped Prisic, who would be arriving here next Tuesday, would be able to get the boxers into shape for the Games.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Amateur Boxing Association (Maba) plans to send senior and junior boxers for training in Thailand soon.

Its secretary, Maj (R) Maulud Othman said Thailand Boxing Federation had invited the Malaysian squad to attend training there.

"We should take up the offer as formidable boxers from countries like Cuba are undergoing training in Thailand for the 2010 London Olympics," he added.

On Prisic's services, Maulud said he would discuss it with Prinsic before finalising Maba's training schedule.

-- BERNAMA