Borneo Junior Open squash tourney records most entries, 167 players from overseas
He said 346 junior players from across Malaysia and 167 international players from 16 countries are competing in this year's edition.
The growing participation reflects Sarawak's potential as a host for high-profile international sporting events, he said.
'This event provides a great platform for both local and international junior squash players to come together in Kuching for competitive games,' he said during the tournament's welcoming dinner last night.
The Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts said this is a proud moment for Sarawak, not just because of the numbers, but because it places Sarawak firmly on the international squash map.
He thanked the Squash Racquets Association of Sarawak (SRAS), Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia, and long-time sponsor Cahya Mata Sarawak (CMS) for their commitment to developing the tournament.
Abdul Karim said the state government would continue to support the organisation of both national and international sporting events in Sarawak.
He also revealed that plans are in motion to upgrade squash facilities in the state to accommodate more courts and enable Sarawak to host more international-level events in future.
'We want to be ready and we want to make Sarawak a sports powerhouse,' he said.
The 8th Borneo Junior Open 2025 Squash Tournament will run until July 20.
Returning nations competing this year are Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Japan, South Korea, Macau, Pakistan, Singapore, the Philippines, and the United States, while Canada, New Zealand, Russia, and Sri Lanka are making their debut appearances at the championship.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
13 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Athletes from 44 nations compete as Asian Taekwondo Championships kick off in Kuching
The athletes assemble for the opening ceremony of the 2025 Asian Junior, Cadet and Para Taekwondo Championships. KUCHING (July 28): The 2025 Asian Junior, Cadet and Para Taekwondo Championships, currently being held at the Stadium Perpaduan in Petra Jaya here, marks Malaysia's re-entry into the regional taekwondo arena after more than three decades, said Taekwondo Malaysia president Azizul Annuar Adenan. The Tanjong Datu assemblyman also expressed pride in Sarawak for hosting the mega tournament. He was speaking in his welcoming address at the opening ceremony on Saturday. Azizul, who is also Sarawak Taekwondo Association president, added that he is looking forward to continued collaborative efforts to promote Sarawak as a central hub for major sports events and further strengthen ties within the global taekwondo community. The opening ceremony was officiated by Deputy Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu who represented Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. 'It is my great honour and pleasure, on behalf of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, to welcome all of you to Kuching,' he told the 1,300 athletes and officials from 44 countries. 'Bring more world-class tournaments and big events, the government of Sarawak will continue to support,' he added in a message directed at Sarawak sports officials. Among those present were World Taekwondo president Dr Choue Chung-Won, Asian Taekwondo Union president Prof Lee Kyu-Seok and Olympic Council of Malaysia president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria. The mega tournament comprises the 13th Asian Junior Taekwondo Kyorugi Championships, the 8th Asian Junior Poomsae Championships, the 6th Asian Cadet Kyorugi Championships, the 6th Asian Cadet Poomsae Championships and the 10th Asian Para Championships.
Malay Mail
15 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Small cities, big dreams as China's grassroots football goes viral
SUZHOU, July 28 — On a summer's day in the city of Suzhou, about 40,000 people crowded into a stadium while thousands more gathered by public screens to watch China's hottest sport — amateur football. A balm for cynical fans drained by years of corruption and ineptitude in the professional game, the amateur leagues springing up around China have drawn millions of viewers online, boosted domestic tourism to lesser-known locales and sparked good-natured rivalry between cities. At the sold-out match in searing heat in Suzhou, near Shanghai, the home crowd jumped out of their seats and cheered when 17-year-old Kou Cheng scored against Yangzhou city in the second minute. Many wore bright red jerseys and T-shirts emblazoned with the characters for 'Suzhou' and used paper fans to cool themselves. Amateur football teams Suzhou (red) and Yangzhou (blue) fight for the ball at the Kunshan Olympic Sport Centre in Kunshan June 29, 2025. — AFP pic 'Compared to other competitions, the fans here are more passionate, and even if they don't understand football, the atmosphere is lively,' Qian Chunyan, a 35-year-old Suzhou resident, told AFP. The tournament first took off in the eastern province of Jiangsu — where Suzhou is located — earlier this year. The live-streamed matches soon drew millions of spectators on social media, putting smaller provincial cities on the domestic tourism map. That, in turn, has created a local consumption boom, giving cities that host matches a much-needed reprieve from years of sluggish spending. The games, initially sponsored by local businesses such as barbecue restaurants, have now attracted backing from big-name companies like e-commerce platforms Alibaba and Fans walk to the stadium to watch the amateur league football match between Suzhou and Zhenjiang at the Suzhou Sport Center in Suzhou July 20, 2025. — AFP pic 'Pure football' Fans of local amateur leagues told AFP they were drawn to matches by the simplicity of football not weighed down by the vast sums of money the professional game involves. 'With widespread public participation and minimal corporate involvement, it's a more pure form of football,' Wang Xiangshuo, a Suzhou football fan, told AFP. 'Winning or losing doesn't matter, purity is most important.' Professional football clubs in China, even in its top Super League, have been plagued by match-fixing and gambling scandals. The national team's abysmal performances at international tournaments often draw scorn and abuse from social media users. President Xi Jinping has said he wants China to win the World Cup one day. Suzhou fans watch the amateur league football match between Suzhou and Yangzhou at the Kunshan Olympic Sport Centre in Kunshan June 29, 2025. — AFP pic But the men's team are ranked 94th in the world by FIFA this year and they have only qualified once for the World Cup, in 2002, when they lost all three of their games without scoring a goal. Players in provincial leagues range from high school students to civil servants, including village Communist Party secretary Dai Hu, whose on-field appearances saw him featured by state news agency Xinhua. Local amateur tournaments are 'a great model for community football, allowing every citizen to have their own home team', Jin Shan, a football expert at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told AFP. 'It brings football closer to the general public.' Fans look at a screen in a shopping mall showing the amateur league football match between Suzhou and Zhenjiang in Suzhou July 20, 2025. — AFP pic Tourism boom Local tourism has seen a boost from the league's popularity too. Since it began in May, the Jiangsu amateur tournament — affectionately dubbed the 'Su Super League' — has accounted for a growth in tourism spending in six cities across the province of more than 14 per cent, according to state-run broadcaster CGTN. Chen Tianshu, a souvenirs manufacturer in Nantong city, told AFP her colleagues rushed to make enamel badges with team logos and ice cream popsicles in the shape of local symbols after seeing branded tote bags sell out in a neighbouring city. 'The ice cream sold very well, with the first batch of a thousand pieces already almost sold out,' said Chen, whose company comprises just a dozen people. 'Our performance in the Su Super League is giving Nantong a rare moment to shine,' she said. Fans celebrate a goal of Suzhou amateur football team while watching the match on a screen showing the amateur league football match between Suzhou and Zhenjiang in the Shishan cultural square in Suzhou July 20, 2025. — AFP pic Other provinces eager for their share of the amateur football boom are following in Jiangsu's footsteps, with southern Jiangxi province hosting a two-stage tournament this month. Social media trends in China often lead to unexpected locations receiving sudden surges of visitors. Travellers flocked to the industrial town of Zibo in northern China in 2023, after videos featuring its regional barbecue style went viral. 'This year's success (of the Jiangsu league) is an unexpected delight,' souvenir maker Chen told AFP. 'I hope this will be a long-lasting tradition.' — AFP
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Borneo Post
86-year-old marathoner is Kuching Half Marathon Heritage Run 2025's oldest participant
Wong poses for a photo after the prize presentation ceremony. — Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (July 27): Daily jogging and walking have kept 86-year-old Wong Chan Voon on his feet — quite literally, as the oldest participant in this year's Kuching Half Marathon Heritage Run 2025. Originally from Ipoh, Wong served in the army at the Central Road Camp here from 1963 to 1964, and returned to Kuching last year to take part in the event for the first time, where he completed the 10km category. 'This is my second time. Last year I came and ran 10km — this time, I took part in (the) 5km (category) only. 'It feels very exciting. I'm happy to be in a group here and to run with everyone,' he told reporters when met during the prize presentation ceremony held at the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) compound here today. He said he was also looking forward to enjoying the local sights and food during his visit to Kuching. Wong began running in 1995 after he was encouraged by friends to join their practice sessions. Three decades later, he still jogs and walks every morning — without a coach, special training plan or strict diet — to maintain his health and fitness. Abdul Karim (fourth right) presents a special acknowledgement to Wong in recognition of his participation as the oldest participant in the Kuching Half Marathon Heritage Run 2025 during the prize presentation ceremony. — Photo by Roystein Emmor Over the years, he has participated in various races across Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Penang, and touts one of his proudest achievements as completing the Penang Bridge International Marathon on Nov 17, 2023, where he finished the 42.195km run in 5 hours and 53 minutes at the age of 74. When asked for advice to others in his age group on how to stay healthy, Wong kept it simple and said: 'Just do your own way of jogging and walking, like me. That's all.' Wong was one of the 3,200 participants who took part in this year's run. Meanwhile, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah when met after the prize presentation expressed his satisfaction with the growing response for the marathon. He described the Kuching Half Marathon Heritage Run 2025, which was organised by the Kuching City Joggers Club (CJC) in collaboration with MBKS and held in conjunction with Kuching City Day, as a very exciting event. Abdul Karim congratulated the organisers for a well-executed event and highlighted its positive impact on Sarawak's tourism sector. 'I saw winners from Hungary, Brunei, Kenya, and Peninsular Malaysia. When they come to Sarawak just to run, they stay in hotels, enjoy the local food, and buy souvenirs to take home. 'These are some of the things that, in their own way, help boost our tourism industry,' he said. Also present at the ceremony were Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng. Kuching Half Marathon Heritage Run lead lifestyle oldest runner
