KOTA BARU: The Kelantan State Badminton Association (PBNK) will be hosting the National Junior Circuit Grand Prix Badminton Championship Finals in June next year.
Their president Dr Naharuddin Hashim said it will be the first time the state is hosting the Finals for local Under-16 players.
“This is the first time we (PBNK) have been given the task to organise the Finals of the National Junior Badminton Circuit in three categories – Under-12, Under-14 and Under-16 involving singles and doubles for boys abd girls,’’ he told reporters after the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between PBNK and Fresh Life Water Resources (M) Sdn Bhd at PBNK Hall here yesterday.
“Previously, Kelantan has never been given the responsibility of organising the National Junior Circuit GP (Finals) and it is an honour for the state and PBNK itself.”
He said that as the host, the association would also line up several top state players to win the tournament.
“Among the players we will be fielding is Kashah Khairul Azlan, 14, who just finished runner-up in the Under-15 category at the Woncheon Yonex Miryang Korea Junior International Challenge 2024 tournament held in Miryang, South Korea, from Nov 25 to Dec 1.
“Therefore, PBNK will work with the Kelantan State Sports Council (MSN) and the state government to ensure that the tournament can be held smoothly,” he said.
He said before the National Junior Circuit GP Finals is held, each team must first participate in two National Junior Circuit GP League tour series in March to April next year.
“The National Junior Circuit GP League is usually held in two tour series, where each team is divided into two groups to collect points before qualifying for the National Junior Circuit GP (Finals),” he said. — Bernama
