Over 100 teams vying for Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof Trophy
KUCHING: A total of 128 teams from various schools and clubs all over the state are competing in the N6 Tupong Double Open Petanque Championship at SMK Matang Hilir Petanque Arena in Petra Jaya.
They are vying for the Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof Trophy in the two-day tournament, which ends today.
Works Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof said petanque has yet to become a popular sport but it has begun to gain followers in the state and even at international level.
“However, the uniqueness of the sport is that it can be played by all ages for as long as the person can stand, walk and moves,” he said before officiating at the tournament opening yesterday.
“Petanque is not only played in a competitive manner but it can also be a recreational sport that can involved family members.
“In fact, this is a kind of sport that can foster greater and closer bonds among family members and also the community at large,” he added.
Fadillah also commended SMK Matang Hilir for being able to produce a venue for the sport to grow. He urged the school to do a working paper and forward it to the authorities to further enhance its petanque arena.
The tournament is run by Petanque Association of Kuching Division in collaboration with the Service Centre of N6 Tupong Constituency and MP for P194 Petra Jaya, SMK Matang Hilir Petanque Club and supported by LEA Sports Centre.
The main objective of the championship is to scout for talents among the youngsters.
The format is based on double knock-out.
Apart from the challenge trophy, the winners of the men and women’s doubles will also receive cash prizes.
The champions will be awarded with RM2,000, while first runnerup RM1,000, second runner-up RM500 and third runner-up, RM300. They will also receive trophies, medals and vouchers.
For fifth to eight placing, they will get RM150 each plus vouchers, while ninth to 16th placing will receive RM100 each.
Also present were LEA Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd managing director Raymond Sim Hee Pang and SMK Matang Hilir school principal Wahab Bujang.