KUCHING: Sarawak badminton is set to fly the Malaysian flag in Japan this November, with a women’s squad bound for the All-Japan Badminton Diamond Cup 2025 in Aomori.
The tournament, scheduled to take place from November 21 to 24, is a prestigious female team competition that began in 2023.
It will feature 32 of Japan’s strongest university, senior high school and junior high school teams, along with two invited high schools from China.
This marks the first time a Sarawak team will represent Malaysia at the Diamond Cup, a breakthrough moment for the state’s female shuttlers on the international stage.
SBA’s Honorary Secretary, Datuk Dr Wan Khalik Wan Muhammad, said the invitation was a proud achievement for Sarawak and a chance for the state’s young talents to gain invaluable experience.
“Our players, aged between 12 and 22, will have the opportunity to test themselves against some of Asia’s top youth shuttlers,” he said.
Wan Khalik explained that the seven-player squad was selected to balance promising juniors with more seasoned players, ensuring both competitiveness and growth.
He also credited private sponsorship for making the trip possible.
“Just as SBA’s President, Datuk Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, mentioned (earlier), we are very thankful to our sponsor for supporting this journey.
“Even though they are donning Sarawak colours, it is considered as representing Malaysia on the international stage,” he told reporters at the SBA Hall today.
Also present were SBA’s President, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, and SBA’s Deputy President, Ting Wei Ping.
