Page 298 - The Guide To Sarawak

296 SPORTS & RECREATION
hosted in the spectacular new State Stadium (see page 298). Sarawak hosted Group B, comprising Brazil, South Africa, France and the Republic of Korea, as well as last-16 games (Brazil 10 - Belgium 0; Mexico 0
– France 1), a quarter-final (Argentina 2 – Brazil 0) and a semi-final (Republic of Ireland 0 – Argentina 1) Players on show who have since become household names include Pablo Aimar, Juan Roman Riquelme, Walter Samuel (Argentina), Adailton (Brazil), Nicolas Anelka, William Gallas, Thierry Henry, Mikaël Silvestre, David Trezeguet (France) and Damien Duff (Ireland).
Taekwondo
In September 2014, Sarawak
Taekwondo Association deputy president Dato Lau Keung Chai became the first Malaysian to receive Letters of Commendation from Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters and home of World Taekwondo Academy in South Korea. This was
in recognition of his
vast contribution to the development of taekwondo in Southeast Asia.
Tennis
One of the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association’s most notable achievements
is to open up the sport
to Sarawakians of all income groups. Since 1999 the SLTA, led by its President Dato Patrick Liew, has been working tirelessly with schools and
middle and lower income families to develop a new generation of professional players. Many have already won competitions and medals, or obtained tennis scholarships which enabled them to earn professional degrees, including MBA
and PhD. The SLTA has
also transformed tennis infrastructure in Sarawak with its dazzling new court complex and integrated recreation centre in Kuching, to be further upgraded
over the next few years.
As a result, Sarawak now hosts seven international ITF competitions every year. The SLTA’s achievements have earned it the Best Association Award 2002 & 2008 by Sarawak Sports Council and 2012 by the Ministry of Youth and Sport.
The Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association’s world-class Court Complex in Kuching, now home to seven international ITF tournaments every year.