Wake-up call to focus on badminton

SIBU: The improvement of Sarawak’s 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA) badminton team is a wake-up call for the state to place more emphasis on the sport.

According to the deputy chef de mission (CDM) for badminton, Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, it is worthwhile for Sarawak to seriously consider investing more resources in the sport, in order to provide proper training and support to the players.

“They really need further support for their future careers, and they have proven their potential. Whether it be Wong Ling Ching, Go Shun Huat, or any of the other players, they all need our support.

“I urge all Sarawakians to give their full support—not just cheers, but all kinds of support. Please support the players so they can go far. They can make not only Sarawak proud, but also Malaysia proud,” he said during a press conference following the women’s singles match here on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Sarawak badminton team manager Ting Ching Zung, who was also the team manager for the previous SUKMA, said that during the last games, they only secured one bronze medal in the women’s doubles, while other players were eliminated in the earlier rounds.

Ting said that the support provided by the Sarawak government through the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) has significantly improved the performance of the Sarawak badminton team.

“I’m proud of our overall performance; we are quite balanced this year. Thank you very much for your support,” he said.

After the press conference, Tiang presented an incentive worth RM1,000 to Sarawak’s women single player Wong Ling Ching as a token of appreciation for her after winning a gold medal, securing Sarawak’s first gold medal in badminton event.