Badminton: Albee and Auni in the running to win free tickets to Paris Olympics

KUANTAN: Young shuttler Albee Loh Cheng Yi may get to see all his favourite badminton players in action at the Paris Olympic Games from July 26-Aug 11.

Albee who won the Under-15 boys singles title in the second leg of the inaugural NCT Junior Badminton Championships at the Kuantan Synergy Sports Centre in Kuantan recently, is in the running for the ticket. Only the winners of the Under-15 category in the grand finale will be chosen.

About 500 players aged between nine and 15 mainly from the east coast, grabbed the rare opportunity to showcase their talents.

Besides that, all the top four players from this leg will also automatically qualify for the final round in Kuala Lumpur in June.

The other winners in this leg are boys’ singles Teoh Liang Hong (Under-13), Shahadzryl Suhaime (Under-11), Sie Zi Feng (Under-9); boys’ doubles Ivan Lim Yu Zhe-Kua Wei Ze (Under-15), Fawwaz Sufyan Mohd Shuib-Tan Teng Hinn (Under-13), Chong Yi-Shahadzryl Suhaime (Under-11); girls’ singles Auni Fatihin Azuan (Under-15), Chong Wan Xin (Under-13), Nur Balqis Khatijah Ahmad Redzuan (Under-11), Adriana Delysha Amzari (Under-9); girls’ doubles Teoh Sue Mei-R. Vanshikapriya (Under-15), Goh Wen Xuan-Law Kai Ling (Under-13), Nur Aini Khalisha Mohd Khairol-Nur Balqis Khatijah Ahmad (Under-11).

NCT Junior Badminton Championships promoter Datuk Jack Koh said he was happy to see young players from the east coast actively participating in the tournament, with some even travelling from Kelantan and Terengganu, which proves their love and support for badminton.

“There are talented players all over Malaysia, but some of them never got a chance to showcase their talents due to lack of good opportunities,” said Jack.

“Based on the participation in this leg, we can see that there is no shortage of players with potential here in the east coast who even have the strength to compete with players from all over the country, like the 11-year-old double champions Shahadzryl Suhaime and Nur Balqis Khatijah.

“Then there is the 13-year-old national champion Chong Wan Xin who can go far.”

The next leg will be in Selangor from March 8-10, followed by Sabah (April 19-21).