Sports

Monday March 30, 2009

Triumphant Ramdan, Zulfadli set to be named for trials

PETALING JAYA: Aspiring boys’ singles shuttlers Misbun Ramdan and Zulfadli Sidek from Selangor can look forward to getting a call-up for selection trials to pick players for the Asian and World Junior Championships if they continue with their good showing in their respective junior age categories.

Yesterday, Ramdan, the second son of national singles coach Misbun Sidek, emerged as the boys’ Under-18 champion in the second leg of the Zone A 100Plus National Junior Badminton Circuit in Alor Setar. He defeated Tan Fang Wyei 21-17, 21-14 in a 30-minute final.

It was Ramdan’s second title in the circuit after the opening leg in Perak.

In the boys’ Under-16 category, Zulfadli also showed his consistency by winning the title for the second time in the circuit by defeating R. Jeevantharan 21-9, 21-12.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) junior programme co-ordinator, Hau Kim Tho, said that the coaches were keeping tabs of emerging talent in the circuit.

“This (the circuit) is one of the platforms for us to identify new talent. The winners at these zones are usually called up for our selection trials,” he said. “We will invite those with potential to attend the trials and see where they stand among our best juniors (at the Bukit Jalil Sports School). If they are selected, they will be called for centralised training.

“We probably will have a better indication on who to call up for our selection trials after the 100Plus National Grand Prix Finals in June (in Seremban).”

The Asian Juniors will be held from July 12-19 at a venue to be decided while the World Juniors will be held in Alor Setar from Oct 23-Nov 1.

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