Former National Stars lead Arena Team to fifth straight Wee Kim Wee Badminton Challenge Trophy
,+Guest-of-Honour+Mr+Alex+Yam,+MP+for+Chua+Chu+Kang+GRC,+Mr+Ng+Choon+Yong+(Arena+Te.JPG)
Into its tenth year, the tournament also witnessed overwhelming response from the schools for the Boys’ and Girls’ team events with 28 teams participating in the Boys’ event and the Girls’ event seeing another 24 teams. The Boys’ Team event saw a major upset when Ang Mo Kio Secondary defeated the four-time defending champions Raffles Institution, though their counterparts in the girls’ event ensured that the Rafflesians did not go back empty handed this year, as their A Team won an all Raffles Girls’ School finals to maintain their winning streaking which dates back to 2005.
+in+the+finals+against+Team+SMU.JPG)
The Open Team event finals, started off as a tight affair with former national team player Aaron Tan of SMU tied at one set a piece with former national team compatriot Ng Zong Ren of Arena Team on Court One. However, the SMU player was edged out 19-21 in the final set to give the point to Arena Team. After that, it was all Arena Team, who with brothers Hendri and Hendra, as well as other former national players like Ngo Yi Chye and Erwin Djohan, swept the finals 4-1, to make it five straight titles for the Arena team and their ninth since the tournament was inaugurated in 2003, missing only the 2007 title which was won by Singapore Sports School.
“Standards have definitely improved this year as a lot more Singaporeans are playing badminton now,” said Hendra, who with Hendri, also won the bronze for Singapore at the 2010 commonwealth Games in Delhi, in addition to their silver medal at the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand.
“They are certainly getting more support and improved facilities these days, but more can still be done,” added the 27-year old Indonesian-born star, who has just started running his own badminton academy at the Singapore Badminton Hall since the start of this year.
The top three teams from each category were presented with medals and prizes by Guest-of-Honour Mr Alex Yam, MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC and Advisor to Yew Tee GROs.
Wee Kim Wee Badminton Challenge
The Wee Kim Wee Badminton Challenge which started in 2003, is named after the fourth President of the Republic of Singapore, whose two terms lasted from 1985 to 1993. The former President was a patron of the Arena Country Club and an avid badminton player who besides holding the presidency of the Singapore Badminton Association and the vice-presidency of the Badminton Association of Malaya in 1937, was also the junior singles champion that year.
Mr Lawrence Leow, Chairman of The Arena Country Club, while pleased with reaching a milestone with the tenth edition of the competition, revealed that he has plans for bigger things for the Wee Kim Wee Badminton Challenge with the aim to improve the level of badminton participation and spectatorship in Singapore.
“We aim to take the Wee Kim Wee Badminton Challenge to greater heights and standards with increased participation and aspire to bring the competition to the level of a prestigious regional badminton event.”
About The Arena Country Club
The Arena Country Club is a premier urban club with a range of facilities amidst a cosy ambience for business, social and family activities. With exciting food, recreational and accommodation offerings, The Arena Country Club also boasts Singapore’s only Go-Kart track.
Add: 511 Upper Jurong Road, Singapore 638366
Visit
For more information, please contact:
Tay Li-lin
Crescendas Hospitality Management Pte Ltd
Email:
www.arenaclub.com.sg lilintay@crescendas.com
No comments:
Post a Comment