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READY … Maijol (right) and tournament secretary Ajahar Abdul Latip (left) inspecting the tournament venue.
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18th November, 2008
KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Maijol Mahap is urging the public to come in full force and show their support towards Sabah’s hosting of the YONEX SUNRISE Malaysia International Challenge 2008 that begins at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex multi-purpose hall in Likas today.
The Sabah Badminton Association (SBA) President insists that although there won’t be any big names around, but the tournament will not lack class.
“We will still see world class action here,” Maijol said when met at the tournament’s venue yesterday.
“Those players who are coming are national players of their respective countries. Furthermore most of them are stars in the making,” he added.
“I really hope the fans, especially those who love the sport, will not miss this opportunity and help us show to the world that we are very supportive of the event.
“We also want to show to the world that we are very supportive of sporting events.
“So I hope the fans will come in full force. After all the tickets are very reasonable,” he said.
On their preparations, Maijol, who is also the organising committee chairman, said that their preparations have been running smoothly and that they are ready for the task.
“All the players have arrived and some of them have been training at the venue since yesterday,” he said.
He also pointed out that there will be a few Sabahans in the fray in the competition.
“We have about 11 shuttlers competing, and the number is excluding those training under the BA of Malaysia,” said Maijol.
And Maijol hopes that State champion Asry Abas will show his mettle and give his best shot at the tournament.
“We have been trying to get him to national camp, and if he does well here, his chances will be very good,” he said of the 18-year-old shuttler.
Asry has been scheduled to take on Korean Jang Su Ho in the first round today. The match is expected to start at 3.10pm.
Another Sabahan who will be in action today is former national trainee Beryno Wong Jian Tze. He faces Andi Saputro Nugroho of Indonesia in the first round, while another Sabahan Cheong Khung Tze is taking on Avihingsanon Suppanyu of Thailand.
Vountus Indra Mawan, who is with the national squad, will also be in action. The Sabah-born Vountus is taking on Wilfredo Amoroso of The Philippines.
Among the other Sabahans in the tournament are Yvonne Ong Jing Er, Sannatasah Saniru (BAM), Ting Ching Leong, Timmy Foo, Soong Fie Cho and Amelia Alicia Anscelly (BAM).
The tournament organised by the Sabah Badminton Association with the collaboration of the Badminton Association of Malaysia features about 200 players representing 10 nations, including Malaysia.
Among the participating countries are Indonesia, India, Japan, Korea, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Vietnam.
It offers a total of US$15,000 (about RM54,153.75) prize money.
The first day will see all qualifying matches being played. The men’s singles first round matches also take place today.
There will be two sessions today – morning session will be from 9am to 12.10pm while afternoon session is from 2pm to 4.30pm.
Tickets are priced from RM10-RM30 (daily), while the season tickets are priced at RM80.
For more details please contact 012-8158191 (Mr Tan), 012-82545119 (Mr Yapp) or 013-8661616 (Mr Ajahar).
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