SIBU: The Sarawak taekwondo team can boost their medals tally at the next Sukma with all-year round training under professional coaches, Sarawak Taekwondo Federation (STF) Sibu branch chairman Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck said.

He assured he would apply to the ministry concerned to recruit more pros to prepare the state team for the Malacca Games in 2010.

He also pointed out that such an approach applied not only to taekwondo but also all the Sukma sports for the state.

Dr Soon was speaking at a dinner to celebrate the achievements of the state Sukma exponents here on Sunday.

Sarawak won three gold, two silver and two bronze medals in Terengganu.

He was happy to note that medal haul was better than the previous Games in Kedah where Sarawak won only two gold and one bronze medals.

Earlier, Sarawak Taekwondo Federation (STF) chairman Dr Henry Toh urged members intending to go for international exposure to get certification from the Malaysian Taekwondo Federation (MTF) which is recognised by the World Taekwondo Federation.

Among those were, Sarawak Sukma taekwondo team manager Shirley Wong, chairman of STF referee board Thomas Tang, a representative from Sibu combined Education Department William Anut and coaches.