KUCHING: Sarawak’s next generation of shuttlers will test their nerve, fielding 21 players – 11 young men and 10 young women – at the PETRONAS National Under-21 Championships 2026 with development as the main focus.
The championships, which run from January 21 to 25 at the Akademi Badminton Perak, will see Sarawak using the national meet as a key platform to provide competitive exposure and measure their players against a stronger field from across the country.
Team manager Datuk Dr Wan Khalik Wan Muhammad said the aim is for the players to gain competitive exposure, test themselves against stronger fields, and push for breakthroughs in both singles and doubles events.
“Podium finishes are always welcomed, but our emphasis is on performance benchmarks, consistency and how the players handle match situations,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
Preparation has been steady in the lead-up to the championships, with training centred on match intensity and physical conditioning.
The squad completed their test-court session yesterday (Jan 20) as they made their final adjustments ahead of competition.
Wan Khalik, who is also the Sarawak Badminton Association (SBA) secretary, added that the players have shown a strong hunger to compete, with the experience expected to play an important role in the upcoming Malaysia Games (SUKMA) selection at the end of the month.
All Sarawak players will be competing in Yonex gear as they look to make their mark at the national Under-21 championships.
