KUCHING: The Sarawak leg of this year’s Air Asia–BAM National Junior League 2018 is ongoing at Sarawak Badminton Association (SBA) Hall of Jalan Lapangan Terbang Kuching from July 18 to 22. SBA honorary secretary, Haji Abdul Hadi Kadir said response for this year’s event is encouraging with a total of 29 schools from throughout the state participating in the five-day event.
“SBA together with Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and State Education Department are very happy with the encouraging response from the participating schools and their enthusiasm had shown us that the event is progressively gaining popularity among local schools and their students,” he said.
According to him, the closing and prize presentation ceremony is expected to be officiated by SBA president, Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr) Haji Abdul Aziz Husain on July 22. The Boys’ category attracted entries from 19 schools namely SM Riam and SMK Chung Hua both of Miri, SMK Sacred Heart of Sibu, SMK Bandar Kuching No.1, SMK Kuching High, SMK Green Road, SMK Pending, SMK Jalan Arang, SMK Tung Hua, SMK Sungai Tapang, SMK Stampin, SMK Sungai Maong, SM Chung Hua No.1, St Joseph Private School, SMK Batu Lintang, SMK Semerah Padi, SMK Subis, SM Chung Hua No. 4 and SMK St Joseph.
The Girls’ category attracted 10 entries namely from SM Riam of Miri, SMK Kuching High, SMK Green Road, SM Lodge School, SMK Tung Hua, SM Chung Hua No. 1, St Joseph Private School, SMK Batu Lintang, SMK St Teresa and SMK Subis. The players are competing in the singles and doubles events and the preliminary rounds will be played throughout the day while the finals will be played on July 22 where the winners will receive their prizes on the same day.
This is the second time the junior championship is being held here after it was officially launched last year by BAM president, Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria who came all the way here for the launching ceremony which was officiated by Assistant Minister of Youth and Sarawak, Datuk Snowdan Lawan. The association is also using this year’s event for talent scouting of potential players to represent Sarawak at national level junior competitions which will be held at a later date.
