Having traveled to multiple locations in Malaysia and Indonesia to identify and develop potential talents between the age 10 to 12 years old, Astro Kem Badminton (AKB) culminates with an intensive training in Tokyo in partnership with Nippon Badminton Association at the National Training Center of Japan.
ASTRO KEM BADMINTON TRAINING IN JAPAN
Astro through its corporate responsibility arm, Astro Kasih continues its commitment towards the development of sports in the region
A group of 29 young aspiring badminton players from Malaysia and Indonesia are in Japan for a two-week Overseas Intensive Training programme. These up-and-coming young badminton players will get to hone their skills and pick up new ones under a team of national coaches from Japan.
The kids are joined by AKB Head Coaches Lee Wan Wah and Chan Chong Ming, as well as two AKB alumni - Jacky Kok (15 years old) and Myisha Khairul (15 years old).
SHUTTLERS� QUOTES
Muhammad Nurhakim Sangidon (12) from Johor, said �Being chosen to train in Japan by its national coaches is a dream come true. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity has been very humbling for me and I aim to train harder to be recognised as a world-class shuttler.�
Ung Yi Xing (12) from Negeri Sembilan, shared that her friends and family has been extremely encouraging and supportive in her ambition to become an excellent badminton player. �I am also very thankful to be given this opportunity to experience world-class training environment and be coached by Mr Norio Imai who has trained many badminton greats.�
EXTENSION OF PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ASTRO AND NBA
� In its continuous effort to unearth and train young badminton talents, Astro has extended its partnership with NBA by three years, allowing more young badminton enthusiasts to experience intensive trainings by NBA�s coaches.
� The signing took place at the National Training Center, between Dato� Rohana Rozhan, Group Chief Executive Officer of Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad and Mr Kinji Zeniya, Secretary General of Nippon Badminton Association.
� The signing was followed by friendly matches between the Japan Junior team and the AKB team.
QUOTES FROM OUR SPOKESPERSONS
DATO� ROHANA ROZHAN, GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF ASTRO
�This week has been tough but fruitful for the kids, as they get to experience the best-in-class training. I hope that they will do their best, be hungry to learn, absorb as much as they can, ask questions, compete to win, and even if they don�t; resolve to try harder next time. Language, culture, ethnicity are not barriers but rather curiosities to explore and to learn, and to establish common interests. Most of all, they should be the greatest cheerleader for each other and have fun.�
DATUK DAVID YAP, VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS OF ASTRO
�We aspire to empower our kids to dream big, and to compete on a global stage, and we backed this with a yearly dedicated programme that creates real opportunities for young talent to make their mark in sports. We are extremely proud that our efforts in Kem Badminton are paying off. One third of the boys and girls who have gone through Kem Badminton, have continued higher pursuit for excellence in sports at national sports schools in Malaysia.�
MR KINJI ZENIYA, SECRETARY GENERAL OF NIPPON BADMINTON ASSOCIATION
�We are delighted to extend this partnership and continue to nurture the next generation of badminton champions alongside Astro. The Astro Kem Badminton programme has provided many young shuttlers with an opportunity to train with some of the best coaches in the world.�
ASTRO BADMINTON JUNIOR LEAGUE
� AKB will be organising a national and regional tournament in 2018.
� The Astro Badminton Junior League is set to attract 50 Malaysian clubs of which the champion and first runner-up will qualify for the Astro Badminton ASEAN Junior League.
� The Astro Badminton ASEAN Junior League will see 12 under-15 teams from the region competing in the round robin league.
ABOUT ASTRO KEM BADMINTON
� In support of BAM�s mission to develop badminton from grassroots level to national to produce potential players, Astro Kasih organises AKB to improve the skills of young players aged 10 to 12 years through a professional training programme.
� AKB is a collaboration among Astro Kasih, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth & Sports, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), Nippon Badminton Association (NBA) and Persatuan Bulutangkis Seluruh Indonesia
� Since its launch in 2012, AKB has registered more than 11,500 entries. In 2016, AKB was also organised in Surabaya, Indonesia.
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