KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah badminton team secured the overall runner-up title in Group C, which included the states of Kedah, Terengganu, Kuala Lumpur, and Sabah, at the AFFIN 100Plus Junior Elite Tour (JET) 1 recently held in Alor Setar, Kedah.
During the tournament, Sabah achieved two gold medals, two silver medals, and four bronze medals.
The two gold medals were contributed by Avrielle Tan in the under-12 women’s singles event and the women’s doubles team of Izz Hadirah Binti Mohd Rushdi and Wisyah Zahrah Zuyyin Nurfadli.
Avielle Tan showcased an outstanding and energetic performance, defeating the home favorite from Kedah, Ang Sin Yee, with scores of 21-16, 21-9 in the final match of the tournament.
Izz Hadirah Binti Mohd Rushdi and Wisyah Zahrah Zuyyin Nurfadli also played excellently, overcoming their teammates Charolyne Jess Christopher and Elizabellacyanne Lim in straight games with scores of 21-5, 21-11.
In addition to Charolyne Jess Christopher and Elizabellacyanne Lim, silver medals were also won by Chiara and Deirdree in the under-16 women’s doubles event.
The four bronze medals were earned by Wisyah (under-12 women’s singles), Hamizan & M Firdaus (under-14 men’s doubles), Hanisah and Dania (under-14 women’s doubles), and Charlotte and Avrielle (under-12 women’s doubles).
Team Manager Gundohing Rechine Bin Jikah, who is also the Honorary Secretary of the Sabah Badminton Association (SBA), described this achievement as a promising start for the year 2026.
“This is a significant achievement and a good beginning. We hope to prepare even more robustly for the upcoming JET 2 tournament,” he stated.
In this regard, Rechine expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in making Sabah’s participation in the tournament a success, including players, coaches, and parents.
He also expressed his appreciation to the management of the Sabah Badminton Association (SBA) led by Datuk Dr Maijol Mahap JP, who is also the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing in Sabah. They have provided significant support and encouragement to the officials and players, alongside the excellent leadership of the SBA president.
