THIS month, the annual tribute event, the ‘Datuk Seri Utama Karpal Singh & YB Jagdeep Singh Badminton Charity Cup’ returns once again.
Deputy Chief Minister II, Jagdeep Singh Deo, announced that the event will take place on June 21 and 22 at the Penang Badminton Academy.
Jagdeep said the ‘Badminton Charity Cup’ aims to promote healthy habits, foster community spirit, and give every child the chance to grow, learn, and succeed.
“Memories of my late father, Datuk Seri Utama Karpal Singh, will continue to live on through this Badminton Charity Cup. If he were alive today, he would be 85 years old.
“The competition is not only a tribute to my father but also a way to unite the community through sports and promote the healthy development of teenagers.
“It is expected to attract more than 200 players,”Jagdeep said during a press conference held at the Penang Badminton Academy today.
It is learned that Jagdeep has been sponsoring for the competition since 2018, except for 2020 and 2021 when it was halted due to the pandemic. This year, he is contributing RM10,000 for the event.
According to the organising committee chairman Tan Beng Ghee, the competition features four categories which are Singles U11, U14, and U17 for young players, and a Novice Doubles category open to all players.
Tan also shared that around 100 children from Ramakrishna Ashrama and Wisma Yatim Pulau Pinang will be invited to join for the opening ceremony on 21 June.
Meanwhile, Penang Badminton Association president Datuk Kah Kau Kiak said that the association is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Kah shared that to commemorate this, the 100th Anniversary Dinner will be held at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre on Nov 22.
Kah thanked the state government for its continuous support of the ‘Datuk Seri Utama Karpal Singh & YB Jagdeep Singh Badminton Charity Cup’.
“It is interesting to note that the Penang Badminton Association, established in 1925, is the oldest badminton organisation in Malaysia. It was founded even before the Badminton World Federation.
“The celebration dinner is expected to attract over 2,000 guests, which will be an important milestone in the Penang badminton industry,” he said.
Jagdeep is also sponsoring a total of RM20,000 to enable 100 children from orphanages to attend the anniversary celebration dinner.
For more information about registration, please WhatsApp 016-416 1712. The registration deadline is June 15.
Story & Pix by Tanushalini Moroter