Kuching shuttlers edge Samarahan for Maksak title
KAPI T: Kuching edged Samarahan 3 - 2 to emerge champions of this year’s State Inter-Division Maksak Badminton Championships held in Kapit over the weekend. Except for Mukah, all the other 11 divisions were represented in the two- day tournament.
Limbang and Bintulu finished third and fourth respectively. Each tie featured men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s singles, women’s doubles and a veteran match.
Players from Kapit, which sent two teams, claimed two individual honours. 60- yearold Hossen Dami, a blood bank attendant at Kapit Hospital, was adjudged Male Player of the Year. Kapit Forestry Department clerk Hunyang Sageng, 54, won the female honours.
The event was declared open by Kapit Resident Joseph Belayong. Speaking to the players, he reiterated that Maksak activities aim to encourage government servants to actively participate in sports in order to stay healthy.
Joseph, who is also Maksak Kapit chairman, also welcomed the visitors especially those who were in Kapit for the first time. He hoped they would enjoy their stay and added, ”You are lucky because ‘buahdabai – local olive’ season is still on.”
The closing ceremony- cumprize giving was officiated by N 61 Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang. Stressing the importance of sport participation to civil servants, he said, “It’s proven healthy persons are more productive in their work performance.”
“Many of you serving in various parts of the state haven’t been to Kapit. This badminton competition brings you here. Take a look around. Kapit is famous for ‘ buahdabai’, ‘durian’ and other seasonal fruits. Don’t hurry to go back, spent time to visit Market Terasang and there’re lots of local vegetables and fruits”, he added
Also present were Maksak badminton co-ordinator Zamahari Eddie, Kapit engineer Anding Unchi, Kapit Sports and Youth officer Jack Janda, Sarawak Administrative officers Minggu Jampong, Irene Merang, Vanessa Joseph and Calvin Ligong, Kapit Civic Centre Councillor Gira Bakat and Penghulu Daniel Dian.