YOUNG players taking part in Piala Smash Bangi say their motivation in signing up for the badminton tournament was to gain experience, rather than to win prizes.
“It is my first time taking part in a tournament. My aim is to gain some competition exposure rather than eyeing a top-three finish,” said 13-year-old Hani Humaira Hakim.
“I started playing badminton two years ago at a neighbourhood complex, and train there once or twice a week.”
The student of SMK Putrajaya Presint 14 (1) said she enjoyed playing badminton for the strategies and tactics required to win a game, as well as the opportunity to make new friends.
“My favourite badminton player is Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei. I hope I can be a world champion like him one day,” said Hani Humaira.
Her father Hakim Abu Hassan said he encouraged his eldest daughter to take up badminton as he wanted her to have a good balance of academics and sports.
Similarly, the Ong family from Kajang signed their children up for a friendly game and to build court experience.
“We encouraged them to take up badminton because of their interest in the sport and to get them to exercise,” said father Ong Boon Seng and mother Lai Ngan See.
“Our children play about three times a week, whether with friends or on a court.”
They said badminton allowed their daughter Ong Xin Lin, 10, to channel her energy into a form of exercise while their son Ong Zee Xuan, 13, used the game to hone his racquet skills and to destress.
The inaugural Piala Smash Bangi was organised by Bangi MCA Youth and Bangi MCA New Media Bureau.
The one-day tournament at Live Sport Badminton Hall in KIP Mall Bangi featured 50 participants in Under-17 boys’ doubles and girls’ doubles, and Under-15 boys’ singles and girls’ singles categories, with RM3,600 in cash prizes, Kumpoo merchandise and medals up for grabs.
Australian Olympian Gronya Somerville, brand ambassador for tournament sponsor Kumpoo, made a special appearance and held a meet-and-greet session.
“The tournament aims to encourage a healthy lifestyle and create an engagement platform with the public, especially youngsters,” said Selangor MCA chairman Datuk Lawrence Low, who was the guest of honour.
“We plan to organise similar events in other constituencies in Selangor, such as Klang, Petaling Jaya, Damansara and Subang.”
Bangi MCA New Media Bureau head Patrick Lee said the tournament was to get more young people to take up sports and spend less time on mobile devices, while encouraging family bonding.
Also present at the event were Selangor MCA secretary Datuk Lee Ban Seng, Bangi MCA Youth chief Yang Kok Bao, Guangzhou Sobey Sports Co Ltd chief executive officer Huang Dong and KP Sports World managing director Jeff Tan.
