Pheonix Netball Club to hold charity tournament April 2

MIRI: The Phoenix Netball Club will hold a charity netball open tournament on April 2 at Kelab Rekreasi Petroliam ( KRP) here – previously known as Kelab Shell Lutong Miri.

The event, to run from 7am to 5pm, will gather netballers from here, Kuching, Bintulu and Brunei.

Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah is expected to officiate at the opening ceremony.

Project manager Aainaa Ayuni Derani said the charity tournament would be the fi rst of its kind here.

“In Miri, the majority of charity events focus on concerts, cycling or running events. As such, the Phoenix Children’s Charity Netball Open Tournament 2017 will be the first fund-raising programme in Miri that involves netball,” she said.

Aainaa, who is also Phoenix Netball Club team captain, said the tournament was aimed at raising funds for the Children’s Hospital Foundation to upgrade the facilities of the paediatric ward at Miri Hospital.

According to her, not many people realise that Miri Hospital requires approximately RM1.5 million every year to help cover research works, new facilities, specialist equipment and ongoing medication for young children.

“Additional funds will help the hospital set up a special nursery room at its paediatric ward,” she said.

On behalf of the club, Aainaa also expressed her appreciation and gratitude to Sarawak State Sports Council ( MSNS) and Sarawak Netball Association for their support, as well as to KRP and Miri Hospital.

Adding on, she said the organiser was still seeking donations and participation for the event.

“The Phoenix Netball Club is a small group comprising local netballers of different age groups and backgrounds, working together to make a difference. For this non-profit event, we hope to attract as many local companies and individuals as possible to join and donate to the Children’s Hospital Foundation.

“The donations can come in any kind – cash (or) company’s giveaways – and they can be channelled directly to Miri Hospital. For further details, contact 084- 42 00 33.”

A pre-launch of the tournament will be held this Sunday (Feb 4) at the meeting room of Miri Hospital, scheduled to commence at 2pm. It will be attended by Miri Hospital director Dr Jack Wong and MSNS Northern Zone assistant director Harifen Mansor.

The Phoenix Children’s Charity Netball Open Tournament 2017 is open to all, but participation is limited to 24 all-women teams and four mixed (co- ed) teams. The entry fee is RM200 per team.

Apart from the top three prizes, there will be other prizes for subsidiary titles namely the ‘Best Attacker’, ‘ Best Defender’, ‘ Most Goals’, ‘ Best Player’ and ‘ Fair Game’.

Adding to the excitement, there will be other activities for the public such as lucky draw, facepainting, ‘silent’ auction, ‘Hoops for Hope’, and free medical checkups.

Registration for the tournament opens on Feb 1. To know more, contact Phoenix Netball Club at 012- 6686825 / 0112- 6624743.