MELAKA – The NCT Junior Badminton Championships kicked off over the weekend, marking the commencement of a nationwide series of tournaments for aspiring shuttlers aged nine to 15.
The first leg, held in Melaka, witnessed an impressive turnout of 509 young badminton enthusiasts from across the country.
Organised in collaboration with the Petaling Badminton Club (Petaling BC), the championship series, including the Road to NCT Junior Badminton Championship, aims to identify and nurture the budding badminton stars of tomorrow.
Datuk Sri Yap Ngan Choy, the organiser, emphasised the commitment to empowering young talent.
“Our dedication extends beyond individual sponsorships. It expands into creating platforms for the younger generation to shine and excel.
“The Road to NCT Junior Badminton Championship embodies our dedication to shaping the future of Malaysian badminton and fostering a legacy of excellence,” he said.
Among the standout performers was 11-year-old Nur Ain Irdina Aradhia from Selangor.
Crowned the Under-11 girls’ singles champion, she showcased remarkable skills and came close to securing the girls’ doubles title.
Nur Ain, who began her badminton journey at the age of five with six days of weekly training, aspires to represent her country.
In addition to Nur Ain, the tournament crowned winners in various categories, including Yee Jia Kang (U9 boys’ singles), Tee Zi Qi (U9 girls’ singles), Nuqman Al Iman Md Noo (U11 boys’ singles), Muhammad Noor Hanafi (U13 boys’ singles), Chu Jing Xuan (U13 girls’ singles), Curson Cheng Yu Yang (U15 boys’ singles), and Low Zi Yu (U15 girls’ singles).
The doubles categories also saw victories by Beh Keat Tom-Tyler Tan Bo Xun (U11 boys’ doubles), Lim Xue Er-Ng Mean Han (U11 girls’ doubles), Derrick Leung Jin Wen-Muhammad Noor Hanafi (U13 boys’ doubles), Chu Jing Xuan-Ungku Iman Zahirah (U13 girls’ doubles), Kua Ming Ze-Muhammad Iqbal Yusuf (U15 boys’ doubles), and Auni Fatihin Azuan-Low Zi Yu (U15 girls’ doubles).
As the NCT Junior Badminton Championships unfold, the competition intensifies, setting the stage for the emergence of the next generation of Malaysian badminton stars. – January 22, 2024