KUCHING: The partnership between the Sarawak Badminton Association (SBA) and Yonex-Sunrise reflects the state’s ambition to build a more professional and competitive badminton ecosystem.
Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurial Development Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said at the signing event held at Waterfront Hotel today that badminton remains one of the most popular sports in Sarawak, with strong grassroots participation evident across both urban and rural areas.
He noted that in many rural communities, badminton courts are a central feature of village halls, reflecting the sport’s deep-rooted following among Sarawakians.
While acknowledging the recent rise of pickleball, Abdul Karim said badminton continues to attract strong interest among younger players and remains the primary sport of choice for youth development.
He welcomed SBA’s proactive efforts to strengthen its coaching environment, governance and player development pathways.
“The cooperation with Yonex, a globally respected badminton brand, reflects SBA’s ambition to build a more professional and competitive ecosystem. I also understand that this partnership supports equipment provisioning, high-performance requirements and technical development, which are critical components for success,” he said.
Abdul Karim also stressed the importance of organising more tournaments at district, divisional and state levels, saying consistent competition is essential for athletes to measure their progress and gain valuable match experience.
“In any sport, if you want to excel, you cannot run away from having tournaments after tournaments,” he said.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to sports development, noting Sarawak’s investments in facilities, including the Sarawak Sports Complex and the construction of mini sports complexes across the state.
He then highlighted the importance of supporting coaches, describing them as the backbone of any sporting ecosystem, and called for stronger collaboration between SBA, schools, clubs and government agencies.
“When we build a system that is competitive, transparent and nurturing, more young Sarawakians will be inspired to pursue badminton seriously,” he said.
Abdul Karim said the ministry will keep supporting sports associations that show professionalism, good governance, and clear development plans. He also encouraged more support from the corporate sector to help the government’s efforts.
He congratulated SBA and Yonex-Sunrise on their partnership and hoped it would create more opportunities for players and coaches and help badminton grow in Sarawak.
Also present were Sarawak Badminton Association (SBA) President, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar; SBA’s Honorary Secretary, Datuk Dr Wan Khalik Wan Muhammad; MYSED Permanent Secretary, Dzulkornain Masron; and Country Manager of Sunrise Sports Sdn Bhd/YONEX-Sunrise, Deepu Sree Kumar.
