250 shuttlers expected for Maybank International Challenge

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KUCHING: Badminton fans can look forward to quality field of players in the Maybank Malaysia Kuching International Challenge to be held at the Stadium Perpaduan from Nov 11-16.

Abdul Hadi (fourth, right) with BAM and tournament officials and representatives of sponsors at the Stadium Perpaduan yesterday.

According to Sarawak Badminton Association (SBA) honorary secretary Abdul Hadi Abdul Kadir, it is not often that an international badminton tournament is organised here in the state.

He called on members of the public to show their support by watching the matches.

“Although we do realise that the tournament is just a Level IV World Tournament, the players competing in this tournament are still world class,” he said during a press conference yesterday.

Organisers expect a total 250 players from 15 countries to make trip to Kuching for the five-day tournament.

“Among those who might come here to compete in the tournament are national back-up players, seasoned competitors and rising talents from all around the world,” Abdul Hadi added.

Ticket prices were not revealed but Abdul Hadi promised that organisers would sell them “as cheap as possible”.

Also those present at the press conference were SBA officials, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) representatives Ahmad Mohd Idris and Teo Kim Tye, and tournament sponsors.

Five categories will be contested – Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles.

This is the third year that SBA is organising the Maybank Malaysia Kuching International Challenge with BAM.