KUALA LUMPUR – “Sports have the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does,” said Nelson Mandela.
This line resonates deeply with Rawang Badminton Club (Rawang BC), which has been active in the country’s badminton landscape, consistently producing some of its finest talents.
Founded nine years ago by visionary school teacher Jeyaseelan Anthony, Rawang BC has attracted up to 200 young talents starting from the age of 10, not only from the small town of Rawang but also from areas such as Kepong and Selayang.
With a strong coaching setup of passionate school teachers, the club has actively produced young players like Letshanaa Karupathevan, Brian Yap Tai Kuan, Siti Nurshuhaini Azman, Kasturi Radhakrishnan, and Venosha Radhakrishnan.
Through the talents that it has managed to mold over the years, the club has always been a powerhouse in the Malaysia Purple League Junior (MPLJ), where it has never seen anything lower than a top-five finish.
MPLJ, a once-thriving platform for young talents to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience, has been absent from the badminton scene for the past two years.
The tournament, which started in 2015, had a successful run until its sudden cancellation, featuring 20 grassroots clubs over seven years.
Speaking to Scoop, Selayang MP William Leong, a staunch supporter of Rawang BC, highlighted the club’s vital role in promoting the importance of being active in sports within the community.
“I have known the founder of Rawang BC for many years, and he and his team have genuinely worked for the people in Rawang by exposing them to the sport.
“The number of participants in Rawang BC has increased over the years thanks to their excellent coaching setup, and we have seen many players from the club transition to become national badminton players.
“Not only in Rawang, but they have also managed to attract many talents from Kepong and Selayang, playing a big role in educating the younger generation about the importance of being involved in sports.
“I’m happy to see how much the club has grown despite its ups and downs and continues organizing its annual tournaments. I hope this year’s tournament will produce some international champions to make Rawang proud,” said Leong.
The 14th edition of the Rawang Open is scheduled to take place from September 14 to 16 this year at the All Sports Rawang Badminton Hall.
Among the categories in the championship are events for under-10 boys and girls singles, under-12 boys and girls singles, under-15 boys and girls singles, and under-18 men’s and women’s singles.
The doubles and mixed doubles categories will also be contested for the under-12, under-15, and under-18 events.
The tournament is sanctioned by the Youth and Sports Ministry and sponsored by Protech Sports, Milo Malaysia, and Prestar Resources Berhad. – August 4, 2024