Jombola craze catching on

The inaugural jombola tournament at the Indoor Sports Stadium in Inspens, Kajang, was well received with some 30 schools taking part in the competition. — Photos by SAMUEL ONG/The Star

SECONDARY school students got the chance to pit their skills against each other during the inaugural Education Ministry 1Student1Sport Jombola Tournament (Central Zone) at the indoor stadium in Inspens, Kajang.

Jombola Association of Malaysia (JAM) president Sukdev Singh was pleasantly surprised with the response as more than 100 students from 30 schools took part.

There were singles and doubles matches in Under-15 and Under-18 categories for boys and girls over two days.

“It is very encouraging to see this Malaysian sport which I created while on a tennis court catching on as more Jombola clubs are being formed in schools.

“Although the standard is not that high, with students playing the sport more frequently, I hope it would improve.

“I was told that the Education Ministry wants to introduce it at the primary school level and hold a tourney similar to this one,” said Sukdev.

JAM has booked a court every Saturday from 8pm to 10pm at SK Wawasan USJ 14 starting from July 22 until December for any student, parent or enthusiast who wants to know how the sport is played, including its rules and regulations.

Teacher Mashita Jamaludin from SMK Bandar Tasik Kesuma in Semenyih, said she picked five students with backgrounds in badminton, table tennis and tennis to join the competition.

“After looking at how the game is played and the interest shown by students, we will form a Jombola Club.

“We are the only school in the Hulu Langat district playing this sport,” she said.

District tennis player Mohd Firdaus Mohd Suhaimi, 17, from SMK Bandar Tasik Kesuma, said it was a fun indoor sport.

“I will introduce it to my school friends,” he said.

Three students — Akaaljot Singh, Harsoneesha Kaur and Prabhjeevan Singh — from Sekolah Sri Dasmesh in Kuala Lumpur were spotted warming up outside the hall.

Harsoneesha, 16, said the sport was introduced in her school last year and regular training sessions are held every Tuesday.

“I hope this sport would be incorporated into the Gurdwara Cup and other Sikh sports festivals,” she said.

SMK Subang Jaya teacher Mohd Azwar Mohd Nasir said about 25 students actively play the sports for three hours, three times a week in the school.

“Many students love jombola because they can play it indoors away from the heat,” he said.

SMK Sri Desa’s Cha Jun Hao, 16 who partnered Ang-Jun Kee edged Mohd Naim Mustafa-Mohd Nazri Razali from SMK Raja Muda Musa 15-10 in the final to win the boys’ Under-18 doubles title.

Jun Hao also won a Jombola competition held in Kuala Selangor last year and helped his school grab the overall boys’ Under-18 title in this competition.

“Even though I am a school badminton player, I like to win in another sport.

“There is a lot of potential in this sport especially in rural areas.

“All you need is a racquet and ball and it is very easy to learn,” said Jun Hao.

SMK Setia Alam won the overall title for the girls’ Under-18 age group category.

RESULTS (all finals)

Boys

Under-15 singles: Ammar Syahir Razali (SMK Raja Muda Musa) bt Mohd Faiq Dzulqhizam (SMK Sekysen 1, Bandar Kinrara) 5-11, 11-7, 12-10.

Under-15 doubles: Mikhal Andrew Amin-Danish Qawiem (SMK USJ 12) bt Mohd Danial Hilma Mohd Azli-Mohd Naszryin Shahputra Naszeri (SMK USJ 23) 18-16, 10-15, 15-2.

Under-18 singles: Razlan Shaqeel (St John’s Institution) bt Mohd Syahmi Mohd Razami (SMK Raja Muda Musa) 15-8.

Under-18 doubles: Cha Jun Hao-Ang-Jun Kee (SMK Sri Desa) bt Mohd Naim Mustafa-Mohd Nazri Razali (SMK Raja Muda Musa) 15-10.

Girls

Under-15 singles: Natasya A (SMK Seksyen 9, Shah Alam) bt Melanie Putria Dewita (SMK Seksyen 16, Shah Alam) 11-9-11-8.

Under-15 doubles: Melanie Putria Dewita-Iffah Farzana Saidi (SMK Seksyen 16, Shah Alam) bt Nur Alya Aimuni-Nursyaza Saffina Zambirin (SMK Puncak Alam 3) 15-7, 15-9.

Under-18 singles: Aina Mardia Syahrel (Kolej Vokasional Shah Alam) bt Tee Jing Yen (SMK Setia Alam) 15-11.

Under-18 doubles: Stella Su-Tee Jing Yen (SMK Setia Alam) bt Mor Syafiqah Mohd Ibrahim-Nurin Syahzanani Ahmad Shukri (SMK Seksyen 3 Bandar Kinrara) 15-6.