KUCHING: KALBAR Team from Pontianak, Indonesia, emerged as champion by beating the Chinese team 2-1 in the final of the 7th Edition of Sarawak Bumiputera Tennis Association (PTBS) Inter-Community Tournament recently.
A total of eight teams participated in the tournament comprising communities from the Chinese, Malay, Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu/Eurasian, Melanau, Malaya/Sabah and KALBAR, Indonesia.
The tournament was held at Tan Sri Datuk Amar Bujang Nor complex at Jalan Demak, here from May 19 to 21. Enroute to the final, KALBAR beat the Malay team in the semi-finals while the Chinese team beat Malaya-Sabah team – both by 2-1.
The semi-finalists took home a cash prize of RM400 and medals. The final saw a tight match between KALBAR and the Chinese team. KALBAR’s top pair beat the Chinese pair and won the first two sets with a super tie break.
This is the fourth time KALBAR participated in the tournament and this year they finally emerged as champions to receive a cash prize of RM1,200 and medals while the Chinese team won RM800 plus medals.
The closing ceremony was officiated by Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports, Snowdan Lawan. In his speech Snowdan commended PTBS for being able to bring the communities in Sarawak to play tennis and encouraged racial integration through sports.
He added that the Inter-Community tournament with the participation of the Indonesian team is in line with the state’s policy of promoting Sports Tourism in Sarawak.
He hoped PTBS together with his Ministry can work together in future tournaments to promote sports tourism in Sarawak. Later, Snowdan gave away the prizes.
During the event, Snowdan presented PTBS honorary membership to Annie Liza Tanggai in recognition to her contribution as the main sponsor for the tournament. It was her who mooted the idea of the Inter-Community Tournament in 2011 and it has now become a signature tournament of PTBS.
Among those present during the closing ceremony were Ismail Abdullah, the tournament director, Tuan Haji Faisal Affendi, PTBS secretary, Ruslan Bujang, PTBS treasurer, Annie Liza Tanggai and the team managers.
