Minister proposes centre of excellence for Miri shuttlers
MIRI: Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin has proposed that the Sarawak Sports Corporation set up a Centre of Excellence for Badminton in Miri with full-time professional coaches to groom shuttlers with potential.
He believes Miri has quite a number of young shuttlers who can be developed to play in national and perhaps international competitions.
“I can see that their parents are also very supportive. I have seen parents sending their children regularly to badminton training centres,” he said at the closing ceremony for Sarawak Age Group Tournament 2021 (1st Leg) here on Sunday.
The tournament was jointly organised by Sarawak Badminton Association, Sarawak Sports Corporation (SSC) and Lopeng Badminton Club at Tung Sport Badminton Hall here.
The Boys Singles U14 champion was Jack Huong Jin Zhe, Ho Sin Hong was runner-up while the two losing semi-finalists were Muhammad Azam Fauzan and Abang Ahmad Danish Bin Abg Ahadie Zainie.
In the Boys Singles U16 category, James Ling Lee Sheng emerged as champion and Ronald Sim Ee Ze as runner-up. Losing semi-finalists were Mark Kuok Che Bing and Azmin Irfan Bin Rahman.
James Ling Lee Sheng and Elvis Hii Zhen Yu were champion and runner-up respectively in the Boys Singles U19 followed by Eden Toh Ting Joun and Avan Ong Zhen.
Wafa Shahmina Bt Rahin lifted the Girls Singles U14 title after beating Venice Goh Jia Wen while Law Yee Luo and Shanice Tang Yuchen were losing semi-finalists.
In the Girls Singles U16 category Tiffany Kong Wen Hui walked away with the championship trophy followed by Nur Saffya Bt Solphi and Jasmine Jong Le Yin.
Sim Jia Min was champion and Pamella Bawang Ak Paing runner-up in Girls Singles U19 while losing semi-finalists were Nur Ain Syahira and Ho Sin Yen.
Also present during the closing ceremony were SSC’s Sports Development Division manager Ahmad Rodzli bin Hashim and the event organising chairman Albert Lau Tee Tung.