SIBU: Over 200 players participated in the Thumb’s Up Sibu Open Age-group Badminton Championship at Thumb’s Up Academy Hall from June 9-11.
A total of 188 players registered for the individual categories for Boy’s Under-12, U-15, U-18 and Girl’s U-12 and U-16.
Eighty-one pairs entered for the team event in the Boy’s U-12, U-15, U-18 and Girl’s U-12.
The players were from Kuching, Miri, Bintulu, Tatau, Sarikei, Meradong, Batu Niah and Sibu.
The championship was jointly organised by Thumb’s Up Badminton Academy and Sibu Badminton Association (SBA).
SBA treasurer and event organising chairman Yong King Sung said due to the overwhelming response, the scoring system had been adjusted slightly.
He said the first round of 64 players and second round of 36 players would play a single game of 30 points.
From the quarter-final onwards, play would be reverted back to the normal scoring system of 21 points.
Yong said the competition was only into its second edition and the encouraging response had given them the inspiration to work harder for the development of the game.
He attributed the good response to the just concluded Thomas Cup.
Meanwhile, SBA president Datuk Lau Cheng Kiong contributed RM5,000 to the association for its annual activities.