KUCHING: Sabah’s women’s badminton squad lived up to their billing, defeating hosts Sarawak to secure the gold medal in the team event final of the Borneo Games Kuching 2025.
The tie began with Sabah’s Saidatul Saadiah Muhammad giving her side the lead by overcoming Sarawak’s Brenda Jong Jing Hui 21-11, 21-14.
Sarawak quickly responded when sisters, Felicia Fong Xin Hui and Flora Fong Xin Jie, levelled the score, defeating Sabah’s Chua Jing Xuan and Lim Ke Xuan 21-12, 21-17 in the second tie.
However, Sabah regained the upper hand in the third match when Cassey Rynn Rompong outlasted Janice Tchin Yao Xuan 25-23, 21-12 in a tense battle.
The decisive moment came in the fourth tie, where Sabah’s pair, Andrina Anscelly and Saidatul Saadiah Muhammad, edged Sarawak’s Wafa Shahmina Rahman and Genevie Lim Tsin Yeen 21-14, 23-25, 22-20 in a thrilling one-hour contest.
The victory handed coach Jablin Ladani’s team the coveted title, which he credited to a strategic blend of youth and experience.
“We brought in three players from Bukit Jalil Sports School along with former Malaysia Games (SUKMA) players.
“By combining junior and senior players, we were able to deliver our best performance and secure the gold medal,” said Jablin to reporters at Stadium Perpaduan today.
The Sabah State Sports Council badminton coach added that the strategy had paid off exactly as expected, while also expressing appreciation to the Sabah Badminton Association (SBA) for the opportunity to compete in the championship.
He further praised the Borneo Games as one of the best platforms to promote badminton in Sarawak and provide valuable exposure for players in the region.
