PETALING JAYA: A RM10,000 reward awaits Genevie Lim after she became the first Sarawakian to be crowned a world junior champion.
Sarawak Badminton Association (SBA) honorary secretary Datuk Wan Khalik Wan Muhammad confirmed that the state body had agreed on the reward following Genevie’s gold-medal success in Cairo.
The Kuching-born shuttler partnered Low Zi Yu in the girls’ doubles and defeated Japan’s Nijika Kamata-Shizuku Kashio 15-7, 9-15, 15-12 in a thrilling final at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday.
They are Malaysia’s first-ever girls’ doubles winners in the world junior meet.
“After discussing it with all the SBA committee members, we agreed to reward her RM10,000 for this proud achievement as the first Sarawakian to win a world junior title,” said Wan Khalik when contacted.
“As you know, Genevie’s journey has not been easy. She previously struggled with her physical condition, then left BAM and we helped her before she was brought back into the national set-up after showing encouraging form at the Asian Junior Championships.
“She really kept her promise to us that she could do it.”
SBA also plan to recommend to the Sarawak government that Genevie be given an additional incentive for her achievement.
But Genevie will not be the only Sarawak player recognised, with Isyraf Hafizin Ibrahim also set to receive a reward for his contribution to Malaysia’s silver medal in the mixed team event.
Isyraf partnered Ahmad Redzuan Zulwaqqarizal in the boys’ doubles and was one of Malaysia’s regulars during the team competition, although their individual campaign ended in the quarter-finals.
“There will also be a reward for Isyraf, but we will decide on the amount later because he competed in the team event.”
