THE Penang Badminton Association (PBA) has announced a reward of RM5,000 for an individual gold medal and RM10,000 for a team gold medal for its Sukma squad, just a day before the team leaves for the competition in Selangor on Thursday.
PBA secretary Jason Kah says the reward is intended as an incentive for the players to excel at the tournament, which will be held at the Setia City Convention Centre in Setia Alam, Selangor, from Aug 15 to 24.
“You must be proud and grateful to be selected to represent Penang. All your hard work and dedication have paid off. Now, it is time to demonstrate 100 per cent effort or more in the competition proper,” he told the players during a briefing at the PBA hall in Bukit Dumbar.
Jason said the decision to offer rewards only for gold medals is aimed at instilling a “winning mentality” among the players, rather than having them think about silver or bronze.
Penang badminton team manager Eddie Yeoh says PBA has set a target of two gold, one silver and two bronze medals at the Games.
“I hope the players can rise to the occasion,” he said.
At the last Sukma in Sarawak in 2024, Penang shuttlers did not win a gold medal despite qualifying for three finals — men’s singles, men’s doubles and women’s singles. They won three silver medals and a bronze in the mixed team event.
PBA president Datuk Kah Kau Kiak said the state is sending a dedicated and disciplined team that is capable of performing well at the tournament.
“We have one very good player ruled out through injury, but I still think the team can deliver the medals,” he said.
Also present at the briefing are PBA treasurer Datuk Ang Lay Heang and committee member Loh Eng Swee.
Of the 16 Penang players selected, six participated in the last Sukma, while 80 per cent of the squad are eligible to compete at the 2028 Sukma.
The team:
Officials: Eddie Yeoh (team manager), Razlan Abdullah (chief coach), Mohd Zairi Mat Zuber (asst coach).
Women:
Tan Zhing Hui (captain), Chong Shi Ming, Giovanna Koay Yi Shyuan, Lee Joinne, Lim Zhi Shin, Nicole Chau Xuan, Nicole Tan Pei En, Oo Shan Zi, Chew Jun Wei.
Men:
Jan Jireh Lee Zhi Ming (captain), Chew Jun Wei, Kong Wei Xiang, Muhamad Adam Haris Muhamad Safarol, Nixon Ang Jia Shen, Tan Kean Wei, Tan Zhi Yang, Tiow Shi Qin.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Law Suun Ting