By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 1: More than 100 players from all over Malaysia are expected to converge in Kuching for the inaugural Premier of Sarawak Boys Junior Badminton Challenge Trophy 2022 taking place on Dec 2 to 4 at Sarawak Badminton Association (SBA) court along Jalan Lapangan Terbang here.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah applauded SBA for organising the tournament that is aimed at exposing junior players to competitors from other parts of Malaysia and beyond with hope to unlock the athletes’ potential in the sport.
“When they play against others, they will know where they stand and how they fare against their competitors. We want the athletes to elevate their games from ‘jaguh kampung’ (village champions) to ‘jaguh dunia’ (world champions).
“From there, we can see their potential to get training and join other competitions so that they can represent Sarawak and Malaysia in the future,” he told a press conference held at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex today.
Noting that badminton is a rising sport, Abdul Karim was extremely proud that after more than 20 years, Sarawak has finally won a bronze medal in the mixed double in the Sukma Games this year for badminton.
“Moreover, six of our athletes are recognised by the BAM (Badminton Association of Malaysia) with three having been absorbed into the national development programme,” he shared.
On the upcoming Boys Junior tournament, Abdul Karim said it is open to all Malaysians in which the competition will adopt a format similar to the Thomas Cup and offer a total prize money of RM20,000 in which the first prize of RM10,000.
The players will compete in five categories comprising three singles for Boy under 18, Boy under 16 and Boy under 14, and two doubles for Boys under 18 and Boys under 16.
“The inaugural competition is for boys only this time but SBA is planning to hold more competitions next year for both boys and girls, with one expected to be based on the Uber Cup format,” he explained.
Sarawak is expected to send four teams.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg will be officiating the closing ceremony of the tournament and prize giving on Dec 4 at 3pm.
Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu, Deputy Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail and SBA secretary Ting Ching Zung were also present. — DayakDaily
