Zainal (back row, fourth left) and his team wave for the camera at Kuala Lumpur International Airport before sending off the Malaysian contingent for the Tri-Country Junior Badminton competition, taking place in Tokyo. Chaperoning the student athletes are officials from the MoE, Perodua and badminton coaches.
KUCHING: Fifteen student athletes under the Ministry of Education (MoE)-Perodua Badminton Talent Development Programme (BTDP) are in Tokyo, Japan for the inaugural Tri-Country Junior Badminton competition.
Hosted and organised by Perodua’s technical and technology partner Daihatsu Motor Company of Japan, the competition will see these 15 young Malaysians go up against their Japanese and Indonesian counterparts, who are cultivated from badminton programmes similar to that in Malaysia.
“Perodua’s participation in the Tri-Country Junior Badminton competition further reinforces our long-term commitment to a sport so close to the hearts of Malaysians. For us, this programme is part of our plan to give early exposure of international competition to these student athletes.
“It is also our corporate responsibility initiative towards the development of Malaysia’s youths and human capital,” said Perodua president and chief executive officer Datuk Zainal Abidin Ahmad.
This Sunday (March 24), a total of 40 school-children comprising 15 Malaysians, 15 Japanese and 10 Indonesians – aged between nine and 12 – will compete at the Ajinomoto National Stadium in Tokyo.
“Many of our young stars here have never set foot outside Malaysia before, and are thrilled and thankful for this opportunity to visit Japan and bring back unforgettable memories. They will also be able to make new friends from Japan and Indonesia and perhaps exchange tips on badminton.
“On behalf of Perodua, I thank Daihatsu for organising and hosting this competition between three badminton-loving nations, and the Ministry of Education (MoE) for working with us to develop the next generation of shuttlers who will, hopefully, make Malaysia proud one day,” added Zainal.
In October last year, the MoE and Perodua wrapped the first BTDP, which involved 2,800 primary school pupils, 140 coaches and 70 badminton development centres across Malaysia.
On a professional level, the Perodua Malaysia Masters – an international Badminton World Federation tournament – was held for the second time under this title in January at Bukit Jalil’s Axiata Arena.