By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Dec 4: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg expressed his gratitude to Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad (Press Metal) for funding the construction of the new wing of the Sarawak Badminton Association (SBA) hall, which provides facilities for more intensive training for the players.
Abang Johari also stated that Press Metal has contributed to the development of badminton in the State by providing an RM5 million sponsorship over a five-year period.
“I am delighted that SBA is organising this tournament (Abang Jo Junior Badminton Cup 2022) to promote badminton at a higher level and to expose our Sarawakian junior players to competitors from all over Malaysia.
“I understand that the new wing of the badminton hall, which I have declared open, is entirely funded by a private corporation, Press Metal Group. This new wing will provide facilities for more intensive training for the players,” he said at a press conference after officiating at the Abang Jo Junior Badminton Cup 2022 and the opening of the SBA’s new badminton hall at Lorong Lapangan Terbang 1 here today.
He also thinks that Sarawakian badminton players need to be exposed to compete with the Thomas Cup players and become national-level players.
“Malaysia has been regarded as one of the best, especially when competing in the Thomas Cup, so our standard is quite high,” he added.
Furthermore, Abang Johari expressed his gratitude to the SBA for the development and execution of badminton, as well as the Sarawak Sports Council (SSC) and Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah for collaborating with the SBA to improve further the performance of junior players and the healthy development of the sport.
“(Having the) facility is important. Perhaps we can also construct another facility to attract international tournaments to Sarawak.
“Of course, we have one in Sibu, but we need one in Kuching to have this standard of court and facilities that allow us to become an international badminton venue. So I’d like to invite other corporate entities to join us in developing this sport,” he said. — DayakDaily
