KUCHING: Sixteen-year-old Zara Chiang may be based in London, England, but her summer break has brought her back to her parents’ hometown in Sarawak.
Here, she is combining family time with intensive training at JPro Badminton Academy.
Residing in Colchester, Essex, Zara is spending six weeks in Kuching, balancing family visits with badminton practice.
“I’ve been here about four weeks already, and I’ll be training for another two before school starts again,” she told the Sarawak Tribune when met recently.
Badminton is not the most popular sport in the United Kingdom, but Zara has embraced it wholeheartedly.
Inspired by her father, who once played the game in his younger days, she began training and quickly developed a love for the sport.
“I’d love to play for my country, and hopefully at some national level. Since I live in the UK, I think it would be hard to represent Malaysia, but I would love to represent the UK,” she shared.
Her favourite player is former world number one, Tai Tzu Ying, whom she admires for her skill and flair on the court.
Zara is also making the most of her time in Sarawak, balancing family reunions with her sessions at JPro.
“I don’t think I’ll pursue badminton as a full-time professional career, but I’d like to keep playing, even if just as a hobby,” she said.
Although she describes herself as a little shy, Zara expressed gratitude for the opportunity to train in Kuching and for the support of JPro Badminton Academy.
