KUCHING: The Sarawak Badminton Association (SBA) stresses that the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) 2026 selection tournament is as much about spotting future prospects as it is about selecting the best performers.
This signals a longer-term vision by SBA for Sarawak badminton.
SBA Honorary Secretary, Datuk Dr Wan Khalik Wan Muhammad, said the association is using the tournament to assess not only current performance levels but also the potential of young shuttlers who can be developed over time.
“We have identified a few up-and-coming players who, with proper training and exposure, can be groomed for the future. This selection is not just about immediate results but also about spotting long term potential for Sarawak badminton,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
Additionally, Wan Khalik described the overall turnout as encouraging, particularly in the men’s categories, which showcased strong depth and healthy competition.
“The turnout was very encouraging, especially in the men’s singles and doubles. We saw strong participation and healthy competition there,” he said.
A total of 113 players is taking part in the selection tournament, including 52 entries in the Under-21 boys’ singles and 36 pairs in the Under-21 boys’ doubles, highlighting the depth on the men’s side.
While pleased with the response overall, Wan Khalik acknowledged that participation in the women’s categories was lower than expected, adding that this is an area the association intends to strengthen moving forward.
“For the women’s categories, the numbers were lower than we hoped, and this is an area we will work on to grow moving forward,” he said.
On emerging talent, he said SBA officials have been encouraged by the quality shown by several young players, particularly in singles events.
“Some of these players are still very young, but they already show good fundamentals, fighting spirit and coachability. These are qualities we can build on,” he said.
He added that several up-and-coming shuttlers have been identified and could be groomed for the future with proper training and exposure.
The SUKMA 2026 selection tournament, which began today, runs until Sunday (Feb 1) at the SBA Hall here and forms an important part of the state’s preparation for the Games in August this year in Selangor.
