Thumb’s Up for monthly badminton series from May

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Martin Tio

SIBU: Thumb’s Up Badminton Academy Sdn Bhd is inaugurating a series of monthly badminton tournaments on the last Saturday of each month at its HQ, starting this May, to spark new life into the declining game.

The grand final is scheduled for Dec 26, where players must play a minimum of four series to be eligible for top-eight qualification.

Its spokesman Martin Tio said it the series is to uplift the waning standard of the sport here, which has seen a gradual decline in recent years.

“Somebody must do something to stop the rot before the interest in the sport wanes,” he said.

Tio noted that many shuttlers continue to play badminton but more for recreational reasons.

“Indeed, all leisure play and without any competitive competition, there is no way that we can unearth talented players,” he suggested.

Tio said that was why Thumb’s Up Badminton Academy saw the urgent need to come up with these monthly tournaments aimed at scouting for potential players who could one day be the toast of Sibu elite players.

The tournament will be divided into three singles age group categories – Boys’ and Girls’ Under-12, U-15 and U-18.

It is opened to all players from the central region, including Sarikei, Meradong, Selangau, Durin, Kapit and its surrounding areas.

Closing date for registration is the 25th day of each month with entry fee of RM10 per person.

Each category will only accept a maximum of 32 players and if there are less than 16 players, that particularly category will be cancelled.

To qualify for the grand final, a player must take part in the monthly competitions at least four times.

Only the top eight ranked players from each category will qualify for the grand final.

In the ranking system, the champion will get 16 points, first runner-up will get 12 points, semi-finalist 8 points, quarter-finalist 4 points, second round 2 points and first round 1 point.

The top eight players who have accumulated the most number of points from their respective categories will qualify for the grand final.

Tio said they would be looking for sponsors and donors to make the series more interesting to entice shuttlers.

“We will also seek the assistance of Sibu Badminton Association for technical advice.”

Meanwhile, Thumb’s Up Badminton Academy will organise a separate holiday camp for the players from June 1 to 16.

The one-day two-session holiday camp, the date of which has yet to be decided, will be conducted by a coach from West Malaysia.

Those interested may register with Thumb’s Up Academy.