KUCHING: Sarawakian badminton players are to expose themselves to have a matching standard as other world renowned players.
In pointing this out, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that as facilities are deemed as important, this will help to train players to be of world renowned standard.
“We have one in Sibu (Sibu Indoor Stadium); perhaps we need one in Kuching also just to have this standard of court facilities where we are able to become the venue for international tournament.
“I would like the other corporate bodies to come onboard to help us develop this sport,” he said after declaring open the new wing of Sarawak Badminton Association (SBA) hall near here, today.
The construction of the new hall was funded by Press Metal Group Sdn Bhd and featured additional 10 courts for intensive training for junior badminton players.
Meanwhile, SBA chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain said that SBA will continue to send its junior players to participate in tournaments outside Sarawak to gauze their standards and hoped that these players will be making valuable achievements.
In the recent Malaysia Games (SUKMA), Abdul Aziz said SBA managed to win a bronze medal in the mixed double, thus creating history for SBA.
“SBA also for the first time in history has seven players under different categories been selected by Badminton Association of Malaysia into the National Squad Academy Development Programme,” he said.
The Abang Jo Junior Badminton Cup saw Ampang Jaya Badminton Club (B) emerged as the champions while SERC took second and Ampang Jaya Badminton Club (A) and Protech won third place respectively.
The tournament was sponsored by Titanium Project Management Sdn Bhd. Other sponsors included Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), Protech and others.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail and State Financial Secretary Datuk Seri Dr Wan Lizoman Wan Omar were among those present.
