The winners posing with SBA treasurer Soh Theng Sai (fifth right) at the end of the tournament at SBA Hall yesterday.
KUCHING: Adam Lau Yu Ming and his twin brother Alfred Lau Yu Leong from Sarawak Badminton Association (SBA) performed up to expectations in the selection tournament last Sunday to earn their places in the Sarawak Sukma XVII badminton squad.
However, it was the younger twin Alfred who claimed the boy’s singles title when Adam retired after trailing 13-15 in the first set.
Earlier in the semi-finals, the tournament’s top seed Adam had shown James Liaw Hyen Gloong of Liew Wah San Training Centre (LWS) the exit in straight sets of 21-8, 21-11 while second seed Alfred beat Clement Chieng Jia Yew of Pacific Badminton Management (PBM) 21-17, 21-18.
For Adam, this will be the second time he will be representing the state at Sukma, after exiting in the first round of the Pahang Sukma two years ago.
“I am looking forward to doing better this time around where I target to make the last eight,” he declared when interviewed after the prize presentation.
“I am feeling more confident now and with the sponsorship from Maxx Sports Sdn Bhd in Muar, Johor, I will be playing in a few local and international competitions this year which I feel will help to improve my game,” he added.
Sharing Adam’s sentiment is Alfred who feels excited and elated to be able to represent Sarawak.
“I am also hoping to do well in my Sukma debut where I am eyeing a place in the quarter-finals too,” said Alfred.
In the play-off for third and fourth placing, Clement Chieng beat James Liaw 21-13, 21-8.
In the boy’s doubles competition, the Lau twins’ dream of completing a double triumph in the Sukma selection tournament was dashed as they were upset 16-21, 19-21 by second seeds Jong Wee Fook and Lai Zing Neng from PBM.
Third and fourth placed teams were Kam Sing Siong-Donaven Sujang Majang of Miri Badminton Association and Gabriel Wong Yeong Han-James Liaw of LWS.
The girl’s singles crown went to Kourtney Kho Ker Yin from SBA who defeated MR’s Yong Ping Ping 21-15, 21-16 in the final.
Kam Wei Li of MR was third after she beat SBA’s Kristy Tay Yong 21-18, 21-18 in the play-off match.
Kourtney Kho picked up another title when she partnered Viviene Kua Yun Jen to win all their four matches in the girl’s doubles competition that was based on the league format.
The pair from SBA collected four points after beating Kam Wei Li-Yong Ping Ping of MR 19-21, 21-19, 21-13, Goh Suk Yun-Sharon Ngu Kai Yun (MR) 21-15, 21-13, Kristy Tay Yong (SBA)-Shawn Lee Shen En (LWS) 21-10, 21-10, Hafizah Zulkifli-Stella Thien (SBA) 21-16, 21-14, and Immanlany Jose Tan (Baram)-Nicole Nikola Johannes (LWS) 21-16, 15-21, 21-14.
In second place were Kam Wei Li-Yong Ping Ping with three points, followed by Goh Suk Yun-Sharon Ngu in third place with two points.
Eighty-six players from 12 teams participated in the tournament organised by SBA.