Rugby players’ training schedule affected by ongoing monsoon season

Training for some Johor athletes taking part in Malaysia Games (Sukma) has been rescheduled because of the ongoing monsoon season.

Johor Sukma (rugby) head coach Mohd Saizul Hafifi Md Noor said rugby players were affected and training had been brought forward to avoid the bad weather.

“We can train in an indoor stadium, but then we will only be limited to running and skills training sessions,” he said adding that intensive training session would start around May.Johor Sukma cycling athletes training indoors in Johor Baru.

“Instead, we are conducting training sessions in phases, twice every month in two sessions at 9am and 4pm.”

Mohd Saizul said a majority of athletes were studying outside the state so the training session would have to be planned well.

“We currently have 25 athletes in training, but only 18 will be sent to represent the state at Sukma Sarawak in August.

“For the time being, training will focus on gym sessions and non-contact training until the weather improves,” he said, adding that the sessions were usually held at Mount Austin Stadium.Likewise, Johor Sukma (cycling) head coach Junaidi Mohd Nasir said the training was being conducted in a gym using indoor cycling equipment.

“The other option is the Velodrome Iskandar Puteri, where they can cycle without any weather interference.

“Our usual training route is Jalan Mersing-Kota Tinggi, Batu Pahat, Melaka and Negri Sembilan, depending on the weather conditions,” he said.

He added that training was done daily because of the different schedules of athletes, who were mostly students.

“Training is done based on their free time, so it is up to the coach to manage the training schedule,” he said, adding that there was still no discussion on the medal targets set by Johor Sports Council (MSNJ).

As for Johor Sukma (sailing) head coach Nazar Mat Nasir, he said the current monsoon season was the perfect time to train athletes because of the strong wind and ocean currents.

“This is the best time to teach our athletes sailing skills.

“We are usually not hindered by bad weather, but mostly by damaged equipment such as torn sails and broken boat engines,” he said, adding that training sessions were held every Friday and Saturday during school sessions and daily during the monsoon season.

Besides physical training, coaching sessions were also done online, especially on the latest racing rules of sailing, he said.