Hold bigger sporting events here to put Sibu on world map
Ting (left) presents a souvenir to Bobby Entarto Kurniawan. Watching is Wei Ping.
SIBU (Aug. 27): Sibu City Council (SMC) Chairman Clarence Ting has expressed sincere hope to see major sporting events held here to promote Sibu.
He said he’s always looking for different ways and means to make Sibu known to the world.
“Hopefully, with bigger sporting events, we’ll see more people from around the world and thereby popularize Sibu on the world map,” he said.
Ting spoke at the welcome dinner for the World Chinese Badminton Federation (WCBF) Sibu Invitational Championship held on Friday night.
A total of 350 players from Singapore, Macau, Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia will take part in the four-day championship, held here at SM Catholic High.
Players will compete in 17 categories, including groups from under 39 to an overall age of 140 or over in doubles, parent-child doubles and man-and-woman doubles.
Only the Men’s Open, Women’s Open, and Mixed Open categories carry prize money of RM2,000 for the winner and RM1,200 for the runners-up, while the rest of the categories bring home medals and certificates.
Among the 350 players are three octogenarians – Tan Chen Fai from Sabah, and Lam Ching and Lee Choi, both from Kuala Lumpur.
Also making a special appearance are Bobby Entarto Kurniawan, the former world champion, and Thomas Cupper from Indonesia.
Ting said he was honored that so many players and visitors came together for this event.
“Badminton player Bobby, whom I’ve only seen on TV at badminton games, also takes part in the championship and is now sitting in front of me. I’m so honored,” he enthused.
Being an avid badminton player himself, Ting said he still enjoys playing badminton.
“In those days (the 2000s) the way the score was counted was different than the current system. The game is a bit strange to me (now) but I still enjoy playing badminton.”
He added that he saw so many badminton players joining the competition that he felt like returning to the drawing board.
He also hoped that the contestants would enjoy themselves and return to Sibu when the competition is held again.
“Sibu will always welcome you,” he said.
Ting Wei Ping, President of WCBF-Sibu Branch, also attended the event.