AJBC to unearth new badminton talents, eyes producing an Olympic champion
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- Allianz Malaysia Berhad wants to assist Malaysia to produce a badminton Olympic champion in future through organising the Allianz Junior Badminton Championship (AJBC).
Its chief executive officer, Sean Wang said the maiden championship this year would indirectly help to scout for new badminton talents who have the potential to bring honours to Malaysia at the world stage.
“Yes, it is our intention (Olympic Games champion), to unearth talents from the grassroots especially between the age of 13 and 15.
“We are the first corporate company to organise the free championship which is also supported by the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) and the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM),” he told reporters at the final at Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara, here today.
“Even though this is the first tournament, the response was exceptional when 2,300 participants signed up, exceeding the target of 2,000 participants in Peninsular Malaysia and due to the overwhelming reception, we are proposing to expand to Sabah and Sarawak next year,
In this regard, he said all finalists today would be invited to join a centralised camp next month under leading coaches apart from providing a platform to BAM and state associations to identify the potential of these players.
At the same time, he hoped other corporate companies would come forward to organise such tournaments to intensify the search for new talents for this popular sport.
Meanwhile, the final today, saw Razeeq Daniel Roslie of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Taman Jasmin , Kajang crowned as the Under-15 (U-15) men’s singles champion after defeating Kuala Lumpur’s representative, Wong Jia Lun, 21-14, 21-13.
“I hope to become the number one player in the world from Denmark, Viktor Axelsen one day,” said Razeeq.
The U-15 women’s singles title was snagged by Teh Xin Ying of SMK Seri Bintang Selatan who beat Ng Hui Min of Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Jit Sin, Bukit Mertajam, 22-20, 21-9.
The winners each took home RM1,000, followed by RM500 for the second place and RM200 for the third place winners.
-- BERNAMA
