SIBU: Athletes who excel in their sports should continue training hard to retain their titles.

Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King said to become a champion was hard but to stay a champion was even harder. “It takes hard work to stay fit and consistent,” he added at the opening of the statewide U-14 volleyball championship here on Friday.

Very often, Tiong noted, champions were prone to resting on their laurels.

“After winning the trophy, they became complacent. In the end, they get nowhere.”

He assured the volleyballers whatever they lacked, sponsors were only too willing to provide, especially playing gear and exposure trips abroad.

“This is unheard of when I was playing volleyball,” he added. Tiong urged the players to train hard to bring glory to the country.

Earlier, Sibu Volleyball Association chairman Dr William Ting Wei Ung thanked SMC for allocating the association the land to build its new stadium.

“With our own stadium, we can stage championships at our own venue instead of running around looking for one, which is very stressful and difficult,” he added.